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THE 



CALIFORNIA DIGEST 



Masonic Law, 



CONTAIN IKG THE 



OLD CHARGES AND REGULATIONS OF 1720, 



CONSTITUTION AND GENERAL REGULATIONS 



p.-. m.-. ©rand f ortoe of OfalKoniJa, 

AS AMENDED TO 1866, 

WITH THE 

Resolutions and Decisions 

NOW IN FORCE IN THAT M.-.W.'. GRAND BODY, ETC. 
COLLATED BY 

LORENZO GORDIN YATES, 

Deputy Grand Lecturer and Master of Alameda Lodge, No. 167. 



San Francisco : 

EDWARD BOSQUI & CO.. BOOK & JOB PRINTERS. 
1867. 






GIFT 

BERTRAM SMITH 

DEC 8 1933 



Entebed according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1867, 

By LOKENZO GORDIN YATES. 

In the Clerk"s Office of the Disf-rict (.Xnii't of the Ignited States for the District of 

Cahfomia. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

List of Grand Officers of Grand Lodge of California 4 

Charges of a Freemason 5 

Old Regulations 13 

Constitution of the Grand Lodge 27 

General Regulations of the Grand Lodge 78 

Uniform Code of By-laws 84 

By-laws of the Grand Lodge • 89 

Code of Resolutions, Decisions, etc., of Grand Lodge 93 

List of Subordinate Lodges 143 

List of Past Grand Officers of Grand Lodge 150 

Constitution of Grand Chapter 155 

General Regulations of Grand Chapter 180 

Rules of Order of Grand Chapter 182 

List of Subordinate Chapters -. 184 

List of Past Grand Officers of Grand Chapter 186 

Constitution of Grand Council 189 

List of Subordinate Councils 199 

Statutes of the Grand CoMxMandery 201 

Rules of Order of Grand Commandery 217 

List of Subordinate Commanderies 219 

List of Past Grand Officers op Grand Commandery 220 

Index 223 



THE 



OLD CHARGES AND REGULATIONS 



OF THE 



Free and Accepted Masons, 



Collected from the Old Records of the Lodges, and 

Presented to the Grand Lodge of England 

ON the 27TH Day of Dec, 1721. 



Ordered to be Printed with the Proceedings of the 

Grand Lodge of California, May 

Eighth, 1855. 



THE 



CHAHGES OF A FEEEMASON 



EXTRACTED FEOM THE 



Ajicient Records of Lodges beyond the Sea, and of those in England, 
Scotland, and Ireland, for the use of Lodges in Efigland ; 



TO BE BEAD AT THE 



MAKING OF NEW BRETHREN^ 

OR WHEN THE MASTER SHALL ORDER IT. 



CHARGE I. 

COXCERNING GOD AND RELIGION. 

A Mason is obliged by his tenure to obe}^ the moral 
law ; and if he rightly understands the art, he will never 
be a stupid atheist, nor an irreligious libertine. But 
though in ancient times Masons were charged in every 
country to be of the religion of that country or nation, 
whatever it was, yet it is now thought more expedient 
only to oblige them to that religion in which all men 
agree, leaving their particular opinions to themselves ; 
that is, to be good men and true, or men of honor and 
honesty, by whatever denominations or persuasions they 
may be distinguished ; whereby Masonry becomes the 
centre of union, and the means of conciliating true friend- 
ship among persons that must have remained at a per- 
petual distance. 



\ 



6 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

CHARGE II. 

OF THE CIVIL MAGISTRATE SUPREME AND SUBORDINATE. 

A Mason is to be a peaceable subject to the civil 
powers, wherever he resides or works, and is never to 
be concerned in plots or conspiracies against the peace 
and welfare of the nation, nor to behave himself unduti- 
fully to inferior magistrates ; for as Masonry hath been 
always injured by war, bloodshed, and confusion, so an- 
cient kings and princes have been much disposed to en- 
courage the craftsmen, because of their peaceableness 
and loyalty, whereby they practically answered the cav- 
ils of their adversaries, and promoted the honor of the 
Fraternity, who ever flourished in times of peace. So 
that if a brother should be a rebel against the State, he 
is not to be countenanced in his rebellion, however he 
may be pitied as an unhappy man ; and if convicted of 
no other crime, though the loyal brotherhood must and 
ought to disown his rebellion, and give no umbrage or 
ground of political jealousy to the government for the 
time being, they cannot expel him from the Lodge, and 
his relation to it remains indefeasible. 

CHARGE III. 

OP LODGES. 

A Lodge is a place where Masons assemble and work ; 
hence that assembly or duly organized society of Masons, 
is called a Lodge, and every brother ought to belong to 
one, and be subject to its by-laws and the general regu- 
lations. It is either particular or general, and will best 
be understood by attending it, and by the regulations of 
the general or Grand Lodge hereunto annexed. In an- 
cient thues, no Master or fellow could be absent from it, 
especially when named to appeeir at it, without incurring 
a severe censure, until it appeared to the Master and 
Wardens that pure necessity hindered him. 

The persons admitted members of a Lodge must be 



THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON. 7 

good and true men, free born, and of mature and discreet 
age, no bondmen, no women, no immoral or scandalous 
men, but of good report. 

CHARGE lY. 

OF MASTERS, WARDENS, FELLOWS, AND APPRENTICES. 

All preferment among Masons is grounded upon real 
Avortli and personal merit only ; that so the lords may be 
well served, the brethren not put to shame, nor the Royal 
Craft despised : therefore no Master or Warden is chosen 
by seniority, but for his merit. It is impossible to de- 
scribe these things in writing, and every brother must 
attend in his place, and learn them in a way peculiar to 
this Fraternity. Only candidates may know, that no Mas- 
ter should take an Apprentice, unless he has sufficient 
employment for him, and unless he be a perfect youth, 
having no maim or defect in his body, that may render him 
incapable of learning the art of his serving his Master's 
lord, and of being made a brother, and then a Fellow- 
Craft in due time, even after he has served such a term 
of years as the custom of the country directs ; and that 
he should be descended of honest parents ; that so, when 
otherwise qualified, he may arrive to the honor of being 
the Warden, and then the Master of the Lodge, the 
Grand Warden, and at length the Grand Master of all 
the Lodges, according to his merit. 

No brother can be a Warden until he has passed the 
part of a Fellow-Craft ] nor a Master, until he has acted 
as a Warden, nor Grand Warden untiLhe has been Master 
of a Lodge, nor Grand Master unless he has been a 
Fellow-Craft before his election, who is also to be nobly 
born, or a gentleman of the best fashion, or some eminent 
scholar, or some curious architect or other artist, descend- 
ed of honest parents, and who is of singular great merit 
in the opinion of the Lodges. And for the better, and 
easier and more honorable discharge of his office, the 
Grand Master has a power to choose his own Deputy 



8 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Grand Master, who must be then, or must have been 
formerly, the Master of a particular Lodge, and has the 
privilege of acting whatever the Grand Master, his prin- 
cipal, should act, unless the said principal be present, or 
interpose his authority by a letter. 

These rulers and governors, supreme and subordinate 
of the ancient Lodge, are to be obeyed in their respective 
stations by all the brethren, according to the old charges 
and regulations, with all humility, reverence, love, and 
alacrity. 

CHARGE V. 

OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CRAFT IN WORKING. 

All Masons shall work honestly on working days, that 
they may live creditably on holy days, and the time 
appointed by the law of the land, or confirmed by custom, 
shall be observed. 

The most expert of the Fellow- Craftsmen shall be 
chosen or appointed the Master or Overseer of the lord's 
work ; and who is to be called Master by those that 
work under him. The craftsmen are to avoid all ill 
language, and to call each other by no disobliging name, 
but brother or fellow ; and to behave themselves courte- 
ously within and without the Lodge. 

The Master, knowing himself to be able of cunning, 
shall undertake the lord's work as reasonably as possible, 
and truly di spend his goods as if they w^ere his own ; 
nor to give more wages to any brother or Apprentice 
than he really may deserve. 

Both the Master and the Masons receiving their wages 
justly, shall be faithful to the lord, and honestly finish 
their work, whether task or journey , nor put the work 
to task that hath been accustomed to journey. 

None shall discover envy at the prosperity of a brother, 
nor supplant him, or put him out of his w^ork, if he be 
capable to finish the same ; for no man can finish another's 
work so much to the lord's profit, unless he be thorough- 



THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON. 9 

ly acquainted with the designs and draughts of him that 
began it. 

When a fellow-craftsman is chosen Warden of the 
work under the Master, he shall be true both to Master 
and fellows ; shall carefully oversee the work in the 
^Master's absence to the Lord's profit ; and his brethren 
shall obey him. 

All Masons employed shall meekly receive their wages, 
without murmuring or mutiny, and not desert the Mas- 
ter till the work is finished. 

A younger brother shall be instructed in working, to 
prevent spoiling the materials for want of judgment, 
and for increasing and continuing of brotherly love. 

All the tools used in working shall be approved by the 
Grand Lodge. 

No laborer shall be employed in the proper work of 
Masonry ; nor shall Freemasons work with those that 
are not free, without an urgent necessity ; nor shall they 
teach laborers and unaccepted Masons, as they should 
teach a brother or fellow. 

CHARGE VI. 

OF BEHAVIOR, VIZ. : IN THE LODGE WHILE CONSTITUTED. 

1. You are not to hold private committees, or sep- 
arate conversation without leave from the Master, nor 
to talk of anything impertinent or unseemly, nor inter- 
rupt the Master or Wardens, or any brother speaking to 
the Master ; nor behave yourself ludicrously or jestingly 
while the Lodge is engaged in what is serious and solemn; 
nor use any unbecoming language upon any pretence 
whatsoever ; but to pay due reverence to your Master, 
Wardens, and fellows, and put them to worship. 

If any complaint be brought, the brother found guilty 
shall stand to the award and determination of the Lodge, 
who are the proper and competent judges of all such 
controversies (unless you carry it by appeal to the Grand 
Lodge), and to whom they ought to be referred, unless a 

2 



10 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

lord's work be hindered the meanwhile, in which case a 
particular reference may be made ; but you must never 
go to law about what concerneth Masonry, without an 
absolute necessity apparent to the Lodge. 

BEHAVIOR AFTER THE LODGE IS OVER AND THE BRETHREN 
NOT GONE. 

2. You may enjoy yourselves with innocent mirth, treat- 
ing one another according to ability, but avoiding all 
excess, or forcing any brother to eat or drink beyond his 
inclination, or hindering him from going when his occa 
sions call him, or doing or saying anything offensive, or 
that may forbid an easy and free conversation, for that 
would blast our harmony, and defeat our laudable pur- 
poses. Therefore, no private piques or quarrels must 
be brought within the door of the Lodge, far less any 
quarrels about religion, or nations, or State policy, we 
being only, as Masons, of the catholic religion above 
mentioned ; we are also of all nations, tongues, kindreds, 
and languages, and are resolved against all politics, as 
what never yet conduced to the Avelfare of the Lodge, 
nor ever will. This charge has been always strictly 
enjoined and observed ; but especially ever since the 
reformation in Britain, or the dissent and secession of 
these nations from the communion of Rome. 

BEHAVIOR WHEN BRETHREN MEET WITHOUT STRANGERS, BUT 
NOT IN A LODGE FORMED. 

3. You are to salute one another in a courteous man- 
ner, as you will be instructed, calling each other brother, 
freely giving each other mutual instruction as shall be 
thought expedient, without being overseen or overheard, 
and without encroaching upon each other, or derogating 
from that respect which is due to a brother, Avere he not 
a Mason : for, though all Masons are as brethren upon 
the same level, yet Masonry takes no honor from a man 
that he had before ; nay, rather it adds to his honor, 



THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON. 11 

especially if he has deserved well of the brotherhood, 
who must give honor to whom it is due, and avoid ill 
manners. 

BEHAVIOR IN PRESENCE OF STRANGERS NOT MASONS. 

4. You shall be cautious in your words and carriage, 
that the most penetrating stranger shall not be able to 
discover or find out what is not proper to be intimated ; 
and sometimes you shall divert a discourse, and manage 
it prudently for the honor of the worshipful Fraternity. 

BEHAVIOR AT HOME AND IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. 

5. You are to act as becomes a moral and wise man ; 
particularly not to let your family, friends and neighbors 
know the concerns of the Lodge, etc., but wisely to con- 
sult your own honor, and that of the ancient brother- 
hood, for reasons not to be mentioned here. You must 
also consult your health, by not continuing together too 
late, or too long from home, after Lodge hours are past ; 
and by avoiding of gluttony or drunkenness, that your 
families be not neglected, or injured, nor you disabled 
from working. 

BEHAVIOR TOWARDS A STRANGE BROTHER. 

6. You are cautiously to examine him, in such a method 
as prudence shall direct you, that you may not be im- 
posed upon by an ignorant false pretender, whom you 
are to reject with contempt and derision, and beware 
of giving him any hints of knowledge. 

But if you discover him to be a true and genuine 
brother, you are to respect him accordingly ; and if he 
is in want, you must relieve him if you can, or else direct 
him how he may be relieved. You must employ him 
some days, or else recommend him to be employed. But 
you are not charged to do beyond your ability, only to 
prefer a poor brother, that is a good man and true, 
before any other poor people in the same circumstances. 



12 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Finally, all these charges you are to observe, and also 
those that shall be communicated to you in another way ; 
cultivating brotherly love, the foundation and cope stone, 
the cement and glory of this ancient Fraternity, avoiding 
all wrangling and quarreling, all slander and backbiting, 
nor permitting others to slander any honest brother, but 
defending his character, and doing him all good offices, 
as far as is consistent with your honor and safety, and no 
farther. 

And if any of them do you injury, you must apply to 
your own or his Lodge ; and from thence you may ap- 
peal to the Grand Lodge at the quarterly communication, 
and from thence to the annual G-rand Lodge, as has been 
the ancient laudable conduct of our forefathers in every 
nation ; never taking a legal course but when the case 
cannot be otherwise decided, and patiently listening to 
the honest and friendly advice of Master and fellows, 
when they would prevent your going to law with stran- 
gers, or would excite you to put a speedy period to 
all lawsuits, so that you may mind the affair of Masonry 
with the more alacrity and success. But with respect 
to brothers or fellows at law, the Master and brethren 
should kindly offer their mediation, which ought to be 
thankfully submitted to by the contending brethren ; and 
if that submission- is impracticable, they must, however, 
carry on their process, or lawsuit, without wrath and 
rancor (not in the common way) saying or doing nothing 
which may hinder brotherly love, and good offices to be 
renewed and continued ; that all may see the benign 
influence of Masonry, as all true Masons have done from 
the beginning of the world, and will do to the end of 
time. 

Amen — So mote it be. 



THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON. 13 



GENERAL REGULATIONS. 

I. The Grand Master, or his Deputy, hath authority and 
right not only to be present in any true Lodge, but also 
to preside wherever he is, with the Master of the Lodge 
on his left hand, and to order his Grand Wardens to at- 
tend him, who are not to act in particular Lodges as 
Wardens, but in his presence and at his command ; be- 
cause there the Grand Master may command the Wardens 
of that Lodge, or any other brethren he pleaseth, to at- 
tend and act as his Wardens jjro tempore. 

II. The Master of a particular Lodge has the right 
and authority of congregating the members of his Lodge 
into a Chapter at pleasure, upon any emergency or oc- 
currence, as well as to appoint the time and place of 
their usual forming ; and in case of sickness, death, or 
necessary absence of the Master, the Senior Warden 
shall act as Master pro temjjore, if no brother is present 
who has been Master of that Lodge before ; for in that 
case the absent Master's authority reverts to the last 
Master then present ; though he cannot act until the 
said Senior Warden has once congregated the Lodge, or, 
in his absence, the Junior Warden. 

III. The Master of each particular Lodge, or one of 
the Wardens, or some other brother by his order, shall 
keep a book containing their by-laws, the names of their 
members, Avith a list of all the .Lodges in town, and the 
usual times and places of their forming, and all their 
transactions that are proper to be written. 

IV. No Lodge shall make more than five new breth- 
ren at one time, nor any man under the age of twenty- 
five, who must be also his own master ; unless by a dis- 
pensation from the Grand Master or his Deputy. 

V. No man can be made or admitted a member of a 



14 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

particular Lodge without previous notice one month 
before given to the said Lodge, in order to make due in- 
quiry into the reputation and capacity of the candidate, 
unless by the dispensation aforesaid. 

YI. But no man can be entered a brother in one par- 
ticular Lodge, or admitted to be a member thereof, with- 
out the unanimous consent of all the members of that 
Lodge then present wKen the candidate is proposed, and 
their consent is formally asked by the Master ; and they 
are to signify their consent or dissent in their own pru- 
dent way, either virtually or in form, but with unanimity : 
nor is this inherent privilege subject to a dispensation ; 
because the members of a particular Lodge are the best 
judges of it; and if a fractious member should be im- 
posed on them, it might spoil their harmony or hinder 
their freedom, or even break or disperse the Lodge ; 
which ought to be avoided by all good and true brethren. 

YII. Every new^ brother at his making is decently to 
clothe the Lodge, that is, all the brethren present, and 
to deposit something for the relief of indigent and de- 
cayed brethren, as the candidate shall think fit to bestow, 
over and above the small allowance stated by the by- 
laws of that particular Lodge ; which charity shall be 
lodged with the Master or Wardens, or the Cashier, if 
the members think fit to choose one. 

And the candidate shall also solemnly promise to sub- 
mit to the Constitutions, the Charges, and Regulations, 
and to such other good usages as shall be intimated to 
him in time and place convenient. 

YIII. No set or number of brethren shall withdraw 
or separate themselves from the Lodge in which they 
were made brethren, or were afterward admitted mem- 
bers, unless the Lodge becomes too numerous ; nor even 
then, without a dispensation from the Grand Master or 
his Deputy; and when they are thus separated, they 



THE CHARCxES OF A FREEMASON. 15 

must either immediately join themselves to such other 
Lodge as they shall like best, with the unanimous con- 
sent of that other Lodge to which they go (as above 
regulated), or else they must obtain the Grand Master's 
Warrant to join in forming a new Lodge. 

If any set or number of Masons shall take upon them- 
selves to form a Lodge without the Grand Master's War- 
rant, the regular Lodges are not to countenance them, 
nor own them as fair brethren and duly formed, nor ap- 
prove of their acts and deeds ; but must treat them as 
rebels, until they humble themselves, as the Grand 
Master shall in his prudence direct, and until he approve 
of them by his Warrant, which must be signified to the 
other Lodges, as the custom is when a new Lodge is to 
be registered in the list of Lodges. 

IX. But if any brother so far misbehaves himself as 
to render his Lodge uneasy, he shall be twice duly ad- 
monished by the Master or Wardens in a formed Lodge ; 
and if he will not refrain his imprudence, and obediently 
submit to the advice of his brethren, and reform what 
gives them offence, he shall be dealt with according to 
the by-laws of that particular Lodge, or else in such a 
manner as the quarterly communication shall in their 
great prudence think fit ; for which a new regulation 
may be afterward made. 



X. The majority of every particular Lodge, when con- 
gregated, shall have the privilege of giving instructions 
to their Master and Wardens before the assembling of 
the Grand Chapter, or Lodge, at the three quarterly 
communications hereafter mentioned, and of the annual 
Grand Lodge too ; because their Masters and Wardens 
are their representatives, and are supposed to speak 
their mind. 

XL All particular Lodges are to observe the same 
usages as much as possible ; in order to which, and for 



16 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

cultivating a good understanding among Freemasons, 
some members out of every Lodge shall be deputed to 
visit the other Lodges as often as shall be thought con- 
venient. 

XII. The G-rand Lodge consists of, and is formed by, 
the Masters and Wardens of all the regular particular 
Lodges upon record, with the Grand Master at their 
head, and his Deputy on his left hand, and the Grand 
Wardens in their proper places, and must have a quar- 
terly communication about Michaelmas, Christmas, and 
Lady Day, in some convenient place as the G-rand Master 
shall appoint, where no brother shall be present who is 
not at that time a member thereof, without a dispensation ; 
and while he stays, he shall not be allowed to vote, nor 
even give his opinion, without leave of the Grand Lodge 
asked and given, or unless it be duly asked by the said 
Lodge. 

All matters are to be determined in the Grand Lodge 
by a majority of votes, each member having one vote 
and the Grand Master having two votes, unless the said 
Lodge leave any particular thing to the determination of 
the Grand Master for the sake of expedition. 

XIII. At the said quarterly communication all mat- 
ters that concern the fraternity in general, or particular 
Lodges, or single brethren, are quietly, sedately, and ma- 
turely to be discoursed of and transacted. Apprentices 
must be admitted Masters and Fellow-Craft only here, 
unless by a dispensation. Here also all differences that 
can not be made up and accommodated privately, nor by 
a particular Lodge, are to be seriously considered and 
decided ; and if any brother thinks himself aggrieved by 
the decision of this Board, he may appeal to the annual 
Grand Lodge next ensuing, and leave his appeal in writ- 
ing with the Grand Master, or his Deputy, or the Grand 
Wardens. 

Here also the Master or the Wardens of each particular 



THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON. 17 

Lodge shall bring and produce a list of such members as 
have been made, or even admitted in their particular 
Lodges since the last communication of the Grand Lodge : 
and there shall be a book kept by the Grand Master, or 
his Deputy, or rather by some brother whom the Grand 
Lodge shall appoint for Secretary, wherein shall be re- 
corded all the Lodges, with their usual times and places 
of forming, and the names of all the members of each 
Lodge ; and all the affairs of the Grand Lodge that are 
proper to be written. 

They shall also consider of the most prudent and 
effectual methods of collecting and disposing of what 
money shall be given to, or lodged with them in charity? 
toward the relief only of any true brother fallen into 
poverty or decay, but of none else ; but every particu- 
lar Lodge shall dispose of their own charity for poor 
brethren according to their own by-laws, until it be 
agreed by all the Lodges (in a new regulation) to carry 
in the charity collected by them to the Grand Lodge, at 
the quarterly or annual communication, in order to make 
a common stock of it, for the more handsome relief of 
poor brethren. 

They shall also appoint a Treasurer, a brother of good 
worldly substance, who shall be a member of the Grand 
Lodge by virtue of his office, and shall be always present 
and have power to move to the Grand Lodge anything, 
especially what concerns his office. To him shall be 
committed all money raised for charity, or for any other 
use of the Grand Lodge, which he shall write down in a 
book, with the respective ends and uses for which the 
several sums are intended ; and shall expend and dis- 
burse the same by such a certain order, signed as the 
Grand Lodge shall afterward agree to in a new regulation ; 
but he shall not vote in choosing a Grand Master or 
Wardens, though in every other transaction. As in like 
manner the Secretary shall be a member of the Grand 
3 



18 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Lodge by virtue of his office, and vote in everything 
except in choosing a Grand Master or Wardens. 

The Treasurer and Secretary shall have each a clerk, 
who must be a brother and Fellow-Craft, but never must 
be a member of the Grand Lodge, nor speak without being 
allowed or desired. 

The Grand Master, or his Deputy, shall always command 
the Treasurer and Secretary, with their clerks and books^ 
in order to see how matters go on, and to know what is 
expedient to be done upon any emergent occasion. 

Another brother (who must be a Fellow-Craft) should 
be appointed to look after the door of the Grand Lodge, 
but shall be no member of it. 

But these offices may be further explained by a new^ 
regulation, when the necessity and expediency of them 
may more appear than at present to the fraternity. 

XIV. If at any Grand Lodge, stated or occasional, 
quarterly or annual, the Grand Master and his deputy 
should be both absent, then the present Master of a 
Lodge that has been the longest a Freemason, shall take 
the chair and preside as Grand Master "pro tempore, and 
shall be vested with all his power and honor for the time, 
provided there is no brother present that has been Grand 
Master formerly, or Deputy Grand Master ; for the last 
Grand Master present, or else the last Deputy present, 
should always of right take place in the absence of the 
present Grand Master and his Deputy. 

XY. In the Grand Lodge none can act as Wardens 
but the Grand Wardens themselves, if present; and if ab- 
sent, the person who presides in his place, shall order 
private Wardens to act as Grand Wardens pro tempore, 
whose places are to be supplied by two Fellow-Craft of 
the same Lodge, called forth to act, or sent thither by 
the particular Master thereof; or if by him omitted, then 
they shall be called by the Grand Master, that so the 
Grand Lodge may be always complete. 



THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON. 19 

XYI. The Grand Wardens, or any others, are first to 
advise with the Deputy about the affairs of the Lodge or 
of the brethren, and not to apply to the Grand Master 
without the knowledge of the Deputy, unless he refuse 
his concurrence in any certain necessary affair ; in which 
case, or in case of any difference between tile Deputy 
and the Grand Wardens, or other brethren, both parties 
are to go by concert to the Grand Master, who can easih^ 
decide the controversy and make up the difference, by 
virtue of his great authority. 

The Grand Master should receive no intimation of 
business concerning Masonry but from his Deput}^ j&rst, 
except in such certain cases as his Worship can well 
judge of; for if the application to the Grand Master be 
irregular, he can easily order the Grand Wardens, or any 
other brethren thus applying, to wait upon his Deputy, 
who is to prepare the business speedily, and to lay it 
orderly before his Worship. 

XYII. No Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, 
Grand Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, or whoever acts 
for them, or in their stead pro tempore^ can at the same 
time be the Master or Warden of a particular Lodge ; but 
as soon as any of them has honorably discharged his 
Grand Office, he returns to that post or station in his 
particular Lodge from which he was called to officiate 
above. 

XYIII. If the Deputy Grand Master be sick, or neces- 
sarily absent, the Grand Master may choose any Fellow- 
Craft he please to be his Deputy pro tempore : but he 
that is chosen Deputy at the Grand Lodge, and the Grand 
Wardens too, can not be discharged without the cause 
fairly appear to the majority of the Grand Lodge ; and 
the Grand Master, if he is uneasy, may call a Grand 
Lodge on purpose to lay the cause before them, and to 
have their advice and concurrence ; in which case, the 
majority of the Grand Lodge, if they can not reconcile 



20 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

the Master and his Deputy or his Wardens, are to concur 
in allowing the Master to discharge his said Deputy 
or his said Wardens, and to choose another Deputy im- 
mediately ; and the said Grand Lodge shall choose other 
Wardens in that case, that harmony and peace may be 
preserved. 

XIX. If the Grand Master should abuse his power, 
and render himself unworthy of the obedience and sub- 
jection of the Lodges, he shall be treated in a way and 
manner to be agreed upon in a new regulation ; because 
hitherto the ancient fraternity have had no occasion for 
it, their former Grand Masters having all behaved them- 
selves Avorthy of that honorable office. 

XX. The Grand Master, Avith his Deputy and Ward- 
ens, shall (at least once) go round and visit all the 
Lodges about town during his Mastership. 

XXL If the Grand Master die during his Mastership, 
or by sickness, or by being beyond sea, or any other 
way should be rendered incapable of discharging his 
office, the Deputy, or, in his absence, the Senior Grand 
Warden, or in his absence, the Junior, or, in his absence, 
any three present Masters of Lodges, shall join to con- 
gregate the Grand Lodge immediately, to advise together 
upon that emergency, and to send two of their number 
to invite the last Grand Master to resume his office, 
which now in course reverts to him ; or, if he refuse, 
then the next last, and so backward. But if no former 
Grand Master can be found, then the Deputy shall act as 
principal until another is chosen ; or if there be no Dep- 
uty, then the oldest Master. 

XXII. The brethren of all the Lodges in and about 
London and Westminster, shall meet at an annual com- 
munication and feast, in some convenient place, on St. 
John Baptist's Day, or else on St. John Evangelist's Day, 



THE CHARGES OP A FREEMASON. 21 

5is the Grand Lodge shall think fit by a new regulation, 
having of late years met on St. John Baptist's Day ; 

Provided^ The majority of the Masters and Wardens, 
with the Grand Master, his Deputy, and Wardens, agree 
at their quarterly communications, three months before, 
that there shall be a feast and a general communication 
of all the brethren ; for if either the Grand Master or 
the majority of the particular Masters are against it, it 
must be dropped for that time. 

But whether there shall be a feast for all the brethren 
or not, yet the Grand Lodge must meet in some conve- 
nient place annually on St. John's Day ; or if it be Sun- 
day, then on the next day, in order to choose every year 
a new Grand Master, Deputy, and Wardens. 

XXIII. If it be thought expedient, and the Grand 
Master, with the majority of the Masters and Wardens, 
agree to hold a grand feast, according to the ancient 
laudable custom of Masons, then the Grand Wardens 
shall have the care of preparing the tickets, sealed with 
the Grand Master's seal, of receiving the money for the 
tickets, of buying the materials of the feast, of finding 
out a proper and convenient place to feast in, and of every 
other thing that concerns the entertainment. 

But, that the work may not be too burdensome to the 
two Grand Wardens, and that all matters may be expe- 
ditiously and safely managed, the Grand Master, or his 
Deputy, shall have power to nominate and appoint a 
certain number of Stewards, as his Worship shall think 
fit, to act in concert with the two Grand Wardens ; all 
things relating to the feast being decided among them 
by a majority of voices, except the Grand Master or his 
Deputy interpose by a particular direction or appoint- 
ment. 

XXIY. The Wardens and Stewards shall, in due 
time, w^ait upon the Grand Master, or his Deputy, for 
directions and orders about the premises ; but if his Wor- 



22 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

ship and his Deputy are sick, or necessarily absent, they 
shall call together the Masters and Wardens of Lodges 
to meet on purpose for their advice and orders ; or else 
they may take the matter wholly upon themselves and 
do the best they can. 

The Grand Wardens and the Stewards are to account 
for all the money they receive, or expend, to the Grand 
Lodge, after dinner, or when the Grand Lodge shall think 
fit to receive their accounts. 

If the Grand Master pleases, he may in due time sum- 
mon all the Masters and Wardens of Lodges, to consult 
with them about ordering the grand feast, and about any 
emergency or accidental thing relating thereunto, that 
may require advice ; or else to take it upon himself 
altogether. 

XXV. The Masters of Lodges shall each appoint one 
experienced and discreet Fellow-Craft of his Lodge, to 
compose a committee, consisting of one from every 
Lodge, who shall meet to receive, in a convenient apart- 
ment, every person that brings a ticket, and shall have 
power to discourse him, if they think fit, in order to ad- 
mit or debar him, as they shall see cause ; 

Provided^ They send no man away before they have 
acquainted all the brethren within doors with the reasons 
thereof, to avoid mistakes ; that so no true brother may 
be debarred, nor a false brother or mere pretender ad- 
mitted. This committee must meet very early on St. 
John's Day, at the place, even before any persons come 
with tickets. 

XXVI. The Grand Master shall appoint two or more 
trusty brethren to be porters or doorkeepers, who are 
also to be early at the place, for some good reasons ; 
and who are to be at the command of the committee. 

XXVII. The Grand Wardens, or the Stewards, shall 
appoint beforehand such a number of brethren to serve 



THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON. 23 

at table as they think fit and proper for that work ; and 
they may advise with the Masters and Wardens of 
Lodges about the most proper persons, if they please, 
or may take in such by their recommendation ; for none 
are to serye that day but Free and Accepted Masons, 
that the communications may be free and harmonious. 

XXVIII. All the members of the Grand Lodge must 
be at the place long before dinner, with the Grand Mas- 
ter, or his Deputy, at their head, who shall retire and 
form themselves. 

And this is done in order — 

L To receive any appeals duly lodged, as above reg- 
ulated, that the appellant may be heard, and the affair 
may be amicably decided before dinner, if possible ; but 
if it can not, it must be delayed till after the new Grand 
Master is elected ; and if it can not be decided after din- 
ner, it may be delayed, and referred to a particular 
committee, that shall quietly adjust it, and make report to 
the next quarterly communication, that brotherly love 
may be preserved. 

2. To prevent any difference or disgust which may be 
feared to arise that day, that no interruption may be 
given to the harmony and pleasure of the Grand Feast. 

3. To consult about whatever concerns the decency 
and decorum of the Grand Assembly, and to prevent all 
indecency and ill manners, the assembly being promis- 
cuous. 

4. To receive and consider of any good motion, or any 
momentous and important affair that shall be brought 
from the particular Lodges by their representatives, the 
several Masters and Wardens. 

XXIX. After these things are discussed, the Grand 
Master and his Deputy, the Grand Wardens, or the 
Stewards, the Secretar}^, the Treasurer, the Clerks, and 
every other person shall withdraw and leave the Masters 



24 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

and Wardens of the particular Lodges alone, in order to 
consult amicably about electing a new Grand Master, or 
continuing the present, if they had not done it the day 
before ; and if they are unanimous for continuing the 
present Grand Master, his Worship shall be called in, 
and humbly desired to do the fraternity the honor of 
ruling them for the year ensuing ; and after dinner it 
will be known whether he accepts of it or not ; for it 
should not be discovered but by the election itself. 

XXX. Then the Masters and Wardens, and all the 
brethren, may converse promiscuously, or as they please 
to sort together, until the dinner is coming in, when 
every brother takes his seat at table. 

XXXI. Some time after dinner, the Grand Lodge is 
formed, not in the retirement, but in the presence of 
all the brethren who yet are not members of it, and must 
not therefore speak until they are desired and allowed. 

XXXII. If the Grand Master of last year has con- 
sented with the Masters and Wardens in private, before 
dinner, to continue for the year ensuing, then one of the 
Grand Lodge, deputed for that purpose, shall represent 
to all the brethren, his Worship's good government, etc., 
and, turning to him, shall, in the name of the Grand 
Lodge, humbly request him to do the fraternity the 
great honor (if nobly born, if not), the great kindness, 
of continuing to be their Grand Master for the year 
ensuing. And his Worship declaring his consent by a bow 
or a speech, as he pleases, the said deputed member of the 
Grand Lodge shall proclaim him Grand Master, and all 
the members of the Lodge shall salute him in due form. 
And all the brethren shall for a few minutes have leave 
to declare their satisfaction, pleasure, and congratulation. 

XXXIII. But if either the Master and Wardens have 
not in private, this day before dinner nor the day before, 



THE CHARGES OF A FREEMASON. 25 

desired the last Grand Master to continue in the Master- 
ship another year ; or if he, when desired, has not con- 
sented : Then 

The last Grand Master shall nominate his successor 
for the year ensuing, who, if unanimously approved by 
the Grand Lodge, and if there present, shall be proclaim- 
ed, saluted, and congratulated the new Grand Master as 
above hinted, and immediately installed by the last Grand 
Master, according to usage. 

XXXIV. But if that nomination is not unanimously 
approved, the new Grand Master shall be chosen imme- 
diately by ballot, every Master and Warden writing his 
man's name, and the last Grand Master writing his man's 
name too ; and the man whose name the last Grand 
Master shall first take out, casually or by chance, shall be 
Grand Master for the year ensuing ; and, if present, he 
shall be proclaimed, saluted, and congratulated as above 
hinted, and forthwith installed by the last Grand Master, 
according to usage. 

XXXV. The last Grand Master thus continued, or 
the new Grand Master thus installed, shall next nominate 
and appoint his Deputy Grand Master, either the last or 
a new one, who shall also be declared, saluted, and con- 
gratulated as above hinted. 

The Grand Master shall also nominate the new Grand 
Wardens, and if unanimously approved by the Grand 
Lodge, shall be declared, saluted, and congratulated as 
above hinted ; but if not, they shall be chosen by ballot, 
in the same way as the Grand Master ; as the Wardens 
of private Lodges are also to be chosen by ballot in each 
Lodge, if the members thereof do not agree to their Mas- 
ter's nomination. 

XXXVI. But if the brother whom the present Grand 
Master shall nominate for his successor, or whom the 
majority of the Grand Lodge shall happen to choose by 
ballot, is, by sickness or other necessary occasion, absent 



26 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

from the Glrand Feast, he can not be proclaimed the new 
Grand Master, unless the old Grand Master, or some of 
the Masters and Wardens of the Grand Lodge can vouch, 
upon the honor of a brother, that the said person so 
nominated or chosen, will readily accept of the said 
office ; in which case the old Grand Master shall act as 
proxy, and shall nominate the Deputy and Wardens in 
his name, also receive the usual honors, homage, and 
congratulation. 

XXXVII. Then the Grand Master shall allow any 
brother, Fellow-Craft, or Apprentice to speak, directing 
his discourse to his Worship : or to make any motion for 
the good of the fraternity, which shall be either imme- 
diately considered and finished, or else referred to the 
consideration of the Grand Lodge, at their next com- 
munication, stated or occasional. When that is over, 

XXXYIII. The Grand Master or his Deputy, or some 
brother appointed by him, shall harangue all the brethren, 
and give them good advice ; and lastly, after some other 
transactions, that cannot be written in any language, the 
brethren may go away or stay longer as they please. 

XXXIX. Every annual Grand Lodge has an inherent 
power and authority to make new Regulations, or to alter 
these, for the real benefit of this ancient fraternity : 
provided, always, that the old Landmarks be caretully 
preserved, and that such alterations and new Regulations 
be proposed and agreed to at the third quarterly com- 
munication preceeding the annual Grand Feast ; and 
that they be offered also to the perusal of all the brothren 
before dinner, in writing, even of the youngest Apprentice, 
the approbation and consent of the majority of all the 
brethren present being absolutely necessary to make the 
same binding and obligatory ; which must, after dinner, 
and after the new Grand Master is installed, be solemnly 
desired, as it was desired and obtained for these Regula- 
tions, Avhen proposed by the Grand Lodge, to about 150 
brethren, on St. John Baptist's Day, 1721. 



GRAND LODGE 



FREE Aro ACCEPTED MASONS. 



CONSTITUTION 



OF THE 



l^.'.W.-.G^RJ^NT) LODGE 

OF 



STATE OF CALIFORNIA, 



AS REVISED AND ADOPTED IN MAY, A. L. 5859, AND AMENDED 
TO OCTOBER, A.L. 5866. 



PART I . 

Of the Organization of the Grand Lodge. 



ARTICLE I. 

OF ITS TITLE AND SEAL. 

Section 1. This Grand Lodge shall be entitled " The 
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted 
Masons of the State of California." 

Sec. 2. It shall have a Seal, bearing such devices and 
inscriptions as have heretofore been, or may hereafter be 
determined, which shall be affixed to all instruments 
issued by or under its authority. 



28 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

ARTICLE 11. 

OF ITS MEMBERS AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS. 

Section 1. The Grand Lodge shall be composed of a 
Grand Master (whose address shall be Most IVorsJii^ful ), 
a Deputy Grand Master, a Senior Grand Warden, and a 
Junior Grand Warden (whose addresses shall severally 
be BigJit Worslii^ful)^ a Grand Treasurer and a Grand 
Secretary (whose addresses shall severally be Very Wor- 
shipful), a Grand Chaplain (Avhose address shall be Very 
Reverend), a Grand Orator, a Grand Marshal, a Grand 
Standard Bearer, a Grand Sword Bearer, a Grand Bible 
Bearer, a Senior Grand Deacon, a Junior Grand Deacon, 
two Grand Stewards, a Grand Organist, a Grand Pursui- 
vant and a Grand Tyler (whose addresses shall severally 
be Worshipful), and such other officers as it may hereaf- 
ter designate ; together with all the Past Grand Officers 
and Past Masters of this jurisdiction, and the Masters 
and Wardens of the several chartered and duly consti- 
tuted Lodges, or the representatives thereof, duly elected 
as provided in Art. II, Part YII. 

Sec. 2. Each officer and member of the Grand Lodge 
must be a member of some Lodge within its jurisdiction. 
With the cessation of such membership shall cease his 
office and membership in the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 3. No member of the Grand Lodge shal] be rep- 
resented therein by proxy. 

ARTICLE III. 

OF ITS POWERS AND AUTHORITY. 

Section 1. The Grand Lodge is the Supreme Masonic 
Power and Authority in this State, possessing all the at- 
tributes of sovereignty and government — legislative, ex- 
ecutive, and judicial — limited only by a strict adherence 
to the Ancient Landmarks of the Order, and to the pro- 
visions of its own Constitution and Regulations. 

Sec. 2. Its legislative powers extend to every case of 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.W.'. GRAND LODGE. 29 

legislation not expreysly delegated by itself to the 
Lodges ; and the Constitution and Regulations, which it 
has an inalienable right to adopt and promulgate at its 
own convenience, and to alter, amend, or repeal at its 
own pleasure, under the limitations therein imposed, are 
final and binding upon all Lodges and Masons Avithin its 
jurisdiction, until so altered, amended, or repealed. 

Sec. 3. Its executive powers include the granting of 
dispensations and charters to establish and perpetuate 
Lodges within this State, and in other territory where 
no Grand Lodge exists ; the revocation or suspension 
thereof; the issuing of special dispensations for all pur- 
poses permitted by any of the provisions of this Consti- 
tution ; and the exercise, generally, of all such authority 
as may be necessary to carry its own legislation into 
complete effect. 

Sec. 4. Its judicial powers are of two kinds : 

1st. Original — Including the decision of all contro- 
versies between any of the Lodges, or between one of 
them and a member or members of another, or between 
members of different Lodges; and the enforcement of dis- 
cipline upon its own members and upon the Lodges under 
its jurisdiction : and 

2d. Apjoelkde — Embracing the revision of all matters 
of controversy or discipline, proper for Masonic investi- 
gation, which may have arisen in any of the Lodges, and 
over which it has not retained original jurisdiction. 

ARTICLE IV. 

OF ITS COMMUNICATIONS. 

Section 1. The Grand Lodge shall hold its Annual 
Communications for the transaction of its regular busi- 
ness, at the City of San Francisco, commencing on the 
second Tuesday of October, at 10 o'clock, a.m. 

Sec. 2. Special Communications may be ordered by the 
Grand Master whenever, in his opinion, the welfare of 
the Fraternity shall require it. 



30 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Sec. 3. Special Communications shall be ordered bj 
the Grand Master, upon an application therefor in writing 
setting forth the causes which demand it, and signed by 
the Masters of at least five chartered Lodges. 

Sec. 4. Every order for a Special Communication shall 
designate the object thereof, so far as is proper to be 
Avritten, and shall be issued to each Lodge and Grand 
Officer at least thirty days before the day named for 
meeting ; and no business shall be transacted thereat 
other than that for which the Grand Lodge was espe- 
cially convened. 

Sec. 5. The officers or representatives of at least fif- 
teen chartered Lodges shall be present in order to 
transact any business in the Grand Lodge, either at an 
Annual or Special Communication ; but, upon occasions 
of ceremony only, the Grand Master, or his duly author- 
ized representative, with a sufficient number of brethren 
to fill the stations and places, may at any time open the 
Grand Lodge, and perform the ceremonies for which it 
was convened. 

ARTICLE V. 

OF THE ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. 

Section 1, The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, 
Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer, and Grand Secretary 
shall be elected by ballot, at each Annual Communica- 
tion, upon the fourth day thereof; shall be installed be- 
fore its close ; and shall hold their respective offices until 
their successors shall have been elected and installed. 
A majority of all the votes cast shall be necessary for an 
election. 

Sec. 2. All other Grand Officers shall be appointed by 
the Grand Master, immediately after his installation, at 
each Annual Communication ; shall be properly invested 
before the close thereof ; and shall hold their respective 
offices during his Avill and pleasure. 

Sec. 3. Whenever a vacancy shall occur in any elective 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.W.'. GRAND LODGE. 31 

office of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master shall have 
power to fill the same by appointment, which appoint- 
ment shall be valid nntil the succeeding annual election 
and installation ; and the officer so appointed shall be 
charged with all the duties and responsibilities of one 
regularlv elected. 

ARTICLE VL 

OF ITS VOTING AND REPRESENTATION. 

Section 1. All questions in the Grand Lodge (except 
elections of officers) shall be decided either viva voce, or 
by a show of hands — unless, before the announcement 
of the result thereof, three members shall demand that 
the vote be taken by yeas and nays, in which case it shall 
thus be taken. 

Sec. 2. Each Grand Officer present, whether elected 
or appointed (except the Grand Tyler), and each Past 
Grand Officer present, shall be entitled to one vote. 

Sec. 3. Each Lodge represented shall be entitled to 
three votes ; and the Past Masters of each Lodge shall, 
collectively, be entitled to one vote. 

Sec. 4. No Grand Officer, Past Grand Officer, or Past 
Master, voting, or participating in a vote, in either of 
those capacities, shall vote, or participate in a vote, in 
any other of them ; but either of such members may, as 
Master, Warden, or representative of a Lodge, cast also 
the vote or votes to which such position shall entitle him. 

Sec. 5. When a Lodge shall be represented by only 
two of its proper officers, the officer highest in rank may 
cast two of the three votes. 

Sec. 6. When a Lodge shall be represented by only 
one of its proper officers, or by a representative, such 
officer or representative may cast all the votes to which 
it is entitled. 

Sec. 7. Li all cases of a tie vote, except votes by bal- 
lot, the Grand Master, in addition to his proper vote^ 
may have the casting vote. 



32 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

ARTICLE VII. 

OF ITS COMMITTEES AND THEIR DUTIES. 

Section 1. The following regular committees, to con- 
sist of five members each, shall be appointed by the 
Grand Master at each Annual Communication, viz : On 
Credentials, on Grievances, on Finances, on Jurispru- 
dence, on Charters, on Returns, on By-Laws, and on Cor- 
respondence. 

Sec. 2. Special committees may also be appointed by 
the Grand Master, whenever it may be deemed necessary 
by the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 3. No business of any kind shall be finally acted 
upon, until after reference to and report upon, by a com- 
mittee, unless by unanimous consent ; and no appropria- 
tion of money shall be made until after reference to, and 
report upon, by the Committee on Finances. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

OF ITS REVENUES. 

i Section 1. The revenue of the Grand Lodge shall be 
derived from the following sources : 

1st. From fees charged for dispensations, charters, di- 
plomas, and other documents issued under its authority: 

2d. From contributions levied upon the Lodges, which 
shall always be equal and uniform, in proportion to their 
membership, admissions, and degrees conferred : and 

3d. From the funds, dues, and proceeds of all property 
of dissolved Lodges within its jurisdiction. 

Sec. 2. The following shall be the fees charged as 
above, exclusive of those provided in Sec. 3, Article lY, 
Part II, to be paid to the Grand Secretary : 

1st. For a dispensation to form a new Lodge, the sum 
of seventy-five dollars : 

2d. For a charter to perpetuate a Lodge, the sum of 
fiftv dollars : 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.'.W.'.GRAND LODGE. 33 

3d. For a dispensation 'to hold an election of an officer 
or officers at a time other than that named in Sec. 1, Art. 
I, Part lY, the sum of ten dollars : 

4th. For a dispen -ation to ballot for a candidate for 
the degrees, without the reference to a committee pro- 
vided in Sec. 3, Art. Ill, Part III, the sum of ten dollars: 

5th. For a dispensation to receive and act upon the 
petition of a rejected candidate, within a less period than 
the twelve months prescribed in Sec. 2, Art. Ill, Part 
III, the sum of ten dollars : and 

6th. For a diploma of any kind, the sum of two dollars, 
except when issued for the widow or children of a de- 
ceased Mason, in w^hich case there shall be no charge : 
but no diploma shall issue except upon the presentation 
to the Grand Secretary of a certificate from the Secre- 
tary of a Lodge, in one of the forms prescribed in Art. 
III^ Part VII. 

Sec. 3. In no case shall either of the foregoing docu- 
ments be issued until the fees therefor shall have been 
paid to the Grand Secretary. 

Sec. 4. The following contributions shall be paid, as 
annual dues, by each of the Lodges, whether chartered 
or under dispensation, at the time and in the manner 
provided in Sec. 4, Art. II, Part III : 

1st. For each degree it shall have conferred during 
the year, the sum of one dollar : 

2d. For each member it shall have received by affilia- 
tion during the year, the sum of one dollar : 

3d. For each Master Mason borne upon its roll at the 
date of its annual return, the sum of one dollar : 

And the Grand Lodge may levy, in addition to the 
above, such other contributions as in its judgment may 
be required. 

Sec. 5. In case of the dissolution of a Lodge, the Grand 

Secretary, or some brother by him duly authorized, shall 

at once proceed to receive its funds on hand, collect its 

outstanding dues, and dispose of its jewels, furniture, and 

5 



34 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

property of every kind, in such manner as shall seem to 
him most judicious ; and he shall place the proceeds 
thereof, after the payment of necessary expenses, among 
the funds of the Grand Lodge. 



PART II. 

Of tJie Grand Officers^ their Powers and Duties. 



ARTICLE L 

OF THE GEAND MASTER. 

Section 1. The Grand Master, during the interval 
between the Communications of the Grand Lodge, may 
exercise all its executive powers as defined in Sec. 3, 
Art. Ill, Part I, except the granting of charters. By 
virtue of these, authority is given him — 

1st. To grant dispensations for the formation of new 
Lodges, under the regulations prescribed in Sec. 2, Art. 
I, Part III : 

2d. To grant dispensations for the holding elections 
of an officer or officers at times other than the regular 
periods prescribed in Sec. 1, Art. I, Part YI, under the 
regulations provided in Sec. 2, Art. I, Part IV : 

3d. To grant dispensations to ballot for and confer the 
degrees upon candidates, without the reference of their 
applications to committees, as provided in Sec. 3," Art. 
Ill, Part III, under the regulations prescribed in Sec. 4, 
Art. Ill, Part III : 

4th. To grant dispensations to receive and act upon 
the petitions of rejected applicants, within a less period 
than the twelve months prescribed in Sec. 2, Art. Ill, 
Part III, under the regulations provided in Sec. 4, Art. 
Ill, Part III : 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.W.'. GRAND LODGE. 35 

5tli. To convene any Lodge, preside therein, inspect 
its proceedings, and compel its conformity to Masonic 
usage : 

6th. To arrest the charter or dispensation of any 
Lodge, for good reasons shown, and suspend the opera- 
tions thereof until the next Annual Communication : 

7th. To suspend the Master of any Lodge from the 
exercise of the powers and duties of his office, for good 
reasons shown, until the next Annual Communication : 

8th. To require the attendance of, and information 
from any Grand Officer, respecting matters appertaining 
to the duties of his office : and 

9th. To appoint Representatives in other recognized 
Lodges, and to receive and accredit such Representa- 
tives from them. 

Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Grand Master — 

1st. To preside in the Grand Lodge at all its Commu- 
nications : 

2d. To present, at each Annual Communication, a 
written message, therein setting forth all his official acts 
during the year, exhibiting the general condition of 
Masonry within the jurisdiction, and recommending such 
legislation as he may deem necessary or expedient for 
the welfare of the Order : 

. 3fd. To constitute all chartered Lodges, either in per- 
son or by a duly authorized representative, in accord- 
ance with the ancient usages and regulations : 

4th. To exercise a general and careful supervision 
over the Craft, and see that the Constitution and Regu- 
lations of the Grand Lodge are strictly maintained, sup- 
ported, and obeyed : and 

5th. To discharge all the necessary executive functions 
of the Grand Lodge, when that body is not in session. 

ARTICLE IL 

OF THE DEPUTY GRAND MASTER AND GRAND WARDENS. 

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Deputy Grand 



36 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Master to assist the Grand Master in the discharge of his 
duties at all the Communications of the Grand Lodge, 
and, in his absence, to preside therein ; and, in the event 
of the death of the Grand Master, or of his absence from 
the State, or of his inability, from any cause, to perform 
the functions of his office, the Deputy Grand Master shall 
succeed to and be charged Avith all his powers and duties. 
Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Grand Wardens 
to assist the Grand Master at all the Communications of 
the Grand Lodge, and, in his absence, and that of the 
Deputy Grand Master, to preside therein in the order of 
their rank ; and, in case of the death, absence from the 
State, or inability as before, of both their superiors, the 
Grand Wardens shall, in the order of their rank, succeed 
to and be charged with all the powers and duties of the 
Grand Master. 

ARTICLE III. 

OF THE GRAND TREASURER. 

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Grand Treas- 
urer — 

1st. To receive all moneys belonging to the Grand 
Lodge, from the Grand Secretary ; to give him duplicate 
receipts therefor ; and to keep, in proper books, a just 
account thereof : 

2d. To take charge of all other property of the Grand 
Lodge, except as provided in Sec. 1, Art. lY, of this 
Part, and keep an accurate account thereof : 

3d. To pay all orders drawn upon such funds and 
moneys, under such regulations as may be provided by 
the Grand Lodge : 

4th. To attend the Grand Lodge at all its Communica- 
tions, and the Grand Master, when required, with the 
books and all necessary papers appertaining to his office ; 
and also, if required by the Grand Lodge or Grand 
Master, to attend with such books and papers upon any 
committee which may be appointed to act in relation to 
the fiscal concerns of the Grand Lodge : and 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.'.W.'.GRAND LODGE. 37 

5th. To report at each Annual Communication a de- 
tailed account of his receipts and disbursements, with 
proper vouchers for the latter ; and to present a state- 
ment of the existing condition of its property and 
finances. 

Sec. 2. He shall execute and file in the office of the 
Grand Master, within fifteen days after his installation, 
an official bond, in such penal sum and with such sure- 
ties as shall be approved by the Grand Master, condi- 
tioned that he will faithfully discharge the duties of his 
office, as prescribed in this Constitution, and, at the end 
of his term, pay over and transfer to his successor all 
funds or property of the Grand Lodge which shall have 
come into his keeping. 

Sec. 3. He shall receive such compensation for his 
services as the Grand Lodge may direct. 

ARTICLE IV. 
OF the grand secretary. 

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Grand Sec- 
retary — 

1st. To record all the transactions of the Grand Lodge 
which it is proper to have written ; and to superintend 
the publication thereof, immediately after the close of 
each Communication, under such instructions as may be 
given by the Grand Lodge : 

2d. To receive, duly file, and safely keep all papers 
and documents addressed or belonging to the Grand 
Lodge ; and to present such as may require its action, at 
each Annual Communication thereof : 

3d. To keep the Seal of the Grand Lodge, and affix 
the same, w^ith his attestation, to all instruments emana- 
ting from that body, and to all the written official acts of 
the Grand Master : 

4th. To collect all moneys due to the Grand Lodge, 
keep a correct account thereof in proper books, and pay 
the same quarterly to the Grand Treasurer : 



38 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

5th. To report, at each Annual Communication, a de- 
tailed account of all moneys received by him during the 
year, with a specific statement of the sources whence 
they were derived ; and to present therewith the receipts 
of the Grrand Treasurer therefor : 

6th. To report, at each Annual Communication, all 
Lodges which shall be in arrears to the Grand Lodge, or 
which shall have neglected or refused to comply with 
any provision of its Constitution and Regulations : 

7th. To conduct the correspondence of the Grand 
Lodge, and to submit copies thereof, at each ' Annual 
Communication, for its inspection : 

8th. To attend the Grand Lodge at all its Communica- 
tions, and the Grand Master, when required, with the 
books and all necessary papers appertaining to his ofl&ce : 

9th. To keep his office, with all the books, papers, 
and archives of the Grand Lodge, in a fire-proof build- 
ing ; and to have the same open at least six hours each 
day (except Sundays) for the transaction of Masonic 
business : 

lOtli. To transmit to each Lodge within the jurisdic- 
tion, once in every two months, a list of all rejections, 
expulsions, suspensions, and restorations of Avhich he 
shall have been notified by the several Lodges : 

lltli. To present, at each Annual Communication, an 
estimate of the probable expenses of the ensuing year, 
giving each class of expenditures under its proper head ; 
and also to present an estimate of the probable income 
from the known sources of revenue, during the same 
period : 

12th. To issue notices of any special Communication 
ordered by the Grand Master, to each Lodge and Grand 
Officer within the jurisdiction : 

13th. To issue notices to each Lodge, of the granting 
of a dispensation by the Grand Master, for the formation 
of a new Lodge : 

14th. To transmit to any Lodge, which shall send him 



^^ 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.W.*. GRAND LODGE. 39 

a certificate of membersliip and good standing of a de- 
ceased brother, in the form prescribed in Art. Ill, Part 
VII, stating that he leaves a wife, child, or children, a 
Grand Lodge diploma for her, his, or their benefit, free of 
charge, when so requested by such Lodge : 

15th. To take charge of the jewels, furniture, clothing, 
and paraphernalia of the Grand Lodge, during its vaca- 
tions : 

16th. To furnish every Grand Officer, elected or ap- 
pointed, with a certificate of such election or appoint- 
ment : 

17th. To act as Grand Librarian, and take charge of 
the library of the Grand Lodge, under such regulations 
as it may prescribe : 

18th. To report, at each Annual Communication, all 
unfinished business of the Grand Lodge ; and to present 
all such other matters to its notice as may properly come 
within his province : and 

19th. To perform all such other duties, appertaining 
to his office, as the Grand Lodge may direct. 

Sec. 2. He shall execute and file in the office of the 
Grand Master, within fifteen days after his installation, 
an official bond, in such penal sum and with such sureties 
as shall be approved by the Grand Master, conditioned 
that he will faithfully discharge the duties of his office 
as prescribed in this Constitution. 

Sec. 3. He shall receive such compensation for his ser- 
vices as the Grand Lodge may direct ; and in addition 
thereto shall receive the following fees : 

1st. For a dispensation to open a new Lodge, the sum 
of fifteen dollars : 

2d. For a charter to perpetuate a Lodge, the sum of 
ten dollars : 

3d. For a dispensation to hold an election of an officer 
or officers at another than the regular period, the sum of 
five dollars : 

4th. For a dispensation to ballot for a candidate and 



40 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

confer the degrees, without reference to a committee^ the 
sum of five dollars : 

5th. For a dispensation to receive and act upon the 
petition of a rejected applicant, within a less period than, 
twelve months, the sum of five dollars : 

6th. For a diploma of any kind (except when issued 
for the widow or children of a deceased brother), the 
sum of three dollars : and 

7th. For every certificate (except those hereinbefore 
named) requiring the seal of the Grand Lodge^ the sum 
of three dollars. 

Sec. 4. He may, with the approval of the Grand Mas- 
ter, appoint an Assistant Grand Secretary, for whose offi- 
cial acts he shall be responsible, and who shall be con- 
sidered an appointed officer of the Grand Lodge, and 
shall receive such compensation for his services as it 
may direct. 

ARTICLE V. 

OF the appointed grand OFFICERS. 

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Grand Chaplain, 
during each Communication of the Grand Lodge, to per- 
form such services, appertaining to his office, as may be 
required of him by the Grand Master. 

Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Grand Orator, at 
each Annual Communication, to deliver an address to 
the Grand Lodge upon matters appertaining to the Craft. 

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Grand Marshal — 

1st. To proclaim the Grand Officers at their installa- 
tion, and to make such other proclamations as by the 
Grand Master may be directed : 

2d. To introduce the Eepresentatives of other Grand 
Lodges, and all visiting brethren of distinction : and 

3d. To conduct all processions of the Grand Lodge, 
under the direction of the Grand Master, and to perform 
such other duties, proper to his office, as maybe required. 

Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Grand Standard 



COXSTITUTION OF THE M.'.W.*. GRAND LODGE. 41 

Bearer to bear the Banner of the Grand Lodge in all 
processions and at all public ceremonies. 

Sec. 5. It .shall be the dut}^ of the Grand Sword 
Bearer to attend upon the Grand Master, and bear the 
Sword of the Grand Lodge in all processions and at all 
public ceremonies. 

Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Grand Bible Bearer 
to bear the Holy Writings in all processions and at all 
public ceremonies. 

Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Grand Deacons to 
assist the Grand Master and Grand Wardens in such 
manner as the ancient usages of the Craft prescribe. 

Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Grand Stewards 
to superintend the preparations for all festive occasions 
directed by the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Grand Organist to 
preside at the organ at the opening and closing of the 
Grand Lodge, and to conduct its music upon all occasions 
of ceremony, when required. 

Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the Grand Pursui- 
vant — 

1st. To guard the inner door of the Grand Lodge, and 
communicate with the Grand Tyler without : 

2d. To announce all applicants for admission by their 
names and proper Masonic titles, and see that all who 
enter wear the jewel and clothing proper to their rank : 
and 

3d. To allow none to withdraw who have not obtained 
permission to do so from the Grand Master. 

Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Grand Tyler — 

1st. To guard the outer door of the Grand Lodge, and 
communicate with the Grand Pursuivant within : 

2d. To report all applicants for admission to the Grand 
Pursuivant, and see that all who enter are duly author- 
ized and properly clothed : 

3d. To make suitable preparations for the accommoda- 
tion of the Grand Lodge at all its Communications, and 



42 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

see that its hall is kept in proper condition during their 
continuance : 

4th. To take charge of and safely keep the jewels, fur- 
niture, clothing, and paraphernalia of the Grand Lodge 
during its Communications : and 

5th. To carry all notices and summonses, and perform 
such other duties as may be required of him by the 
G-rand Lodge or Grand Master. 

Sec. 12. The Grand Tyler shall receive for his serv- 
ices such compensation as the Grand Lodge may direct. 

ARTICLE VI. 

OF THE COMPENSATION OF GRAND OFFICERS. 

Section 1. Each of the elective Grand Officers shall 
be entitled to receive payment for the amount of his 
necessary expenses in attending the Grand Lodge at any 
of its Communications : but, in all cases, the claims for 
such expenses shall be ascertained by the Committee on 
Finances, and be by it reported on, before allowance by 
the Grand Lodge. 



PAKT III. 

Of Subordinate Lodges. 



ARTICLE I. 

ON the organization of a lodge. 

Section 1. A Lodge can only be formed by authority 
of a dispensation from the Grand Master, or of a charter 
from the Grand Lodge ; and no charter shall be granted 
to any Lodge, until it shall have worked a time under 
dispensation, and shall have exhibited to the Grand 
Lodge satisfactory evidence of its Masonic capability. 

Sec. 2. Upon the petition of seven or more Master 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.'.W.'. GRAND LODGE. 43 

Masons being presented to the G-rand Master, in the form 
prescribed in Art. Ill, Part VII, he may grant them a 
dispensation to open and hold a Lodge at the place 
therein to be named, with power to make Masons and 
receive members by affiliation ; and he shall therein ap- 
point the Master and Wardens of the new Lodge. But 
in no case shall such dispensation be issued, unless the 
petition be accompanied by a recommendation from the 
nearest or most convenient chartered Lodge (if from a 
town or city where more than one Lodge exists, then 
from a majority of such Lodges), setting forth, in the 
form prescribed in Art. Ill, Part YII, that the petition- 
ers are all Master Masons in good standing, that the es- 
tablishment of the new Lodge is of manifest propriety 
and will conduce to the good of the Order, and that a safe 
and suitable Lodge room has been provided therefor ; 
nor unless the petition shall also be accompanied by a 
certificate of withdrawal of each petitioner from the 
Lodge of which he was last a member, and by a certifi- 
cate from a Master, wdiom the Grand Master is satisfied 
is well skilled in the craft, declaring that the Master pro- 
posed in such petition is fully competent properly to 
confer the three degrees of Masonry, and to deliver en- 
tire the lectures thereunto appertaining. Such dispen- 
sation shall terminate upon the first day of the month in 
which the next succeeding Annual Communication shall 
be holden ; and shall then be returned to the Grand Sec- 
retary, together with the by-laws, book of records, and 
returns of the new Lodge to that date. 

Sec. 3. Upon the return of the dispensation of a new 
Lodge, as above, with a petition for a charter, in the 
form prescribed in Art. Ill, Part VII, if an examination 
of its work and proceedings shall prove satisfactory, the 
Grand Lodge may order the issue of a charter to such 
Lodge, and assign it such name and number on the reg- 
istry as shall be deemed proper ; and such Lodge shall 
be duly constituted within sixty days thereafter, or its 



44 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

charter shall be forfeited. If the examination be not 
satisfactor}^, the petition may be totally refused, or a 
contmuance of the dispensation, until the next Annual 
Communication, may be ordered ; but no such continu- 
ance shall be granted a second time. 

Sec. 4 A Lodge shall consist of a Master, a Senior 
Warden, a Junior Warden, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a 
Senior Deacon, a Junior Deacon, a Tyler, and such other 
officers as its by-laws may provide; together with as 
many members as it may find convenient. 

ARTICLE n. 

OF THE POWERS AND DUTIES OP A LODGE. 

Section 1. The powers and duties of a Lodge are 
such as are prescribed in its dispensation or charter, by 
the Constitution and Eegulations of the G-rand Lodge, 
and by the general regulations of Masonry: and they are 
defined as follows : 

1st. Executive — 'In the direction and performance of 
its Avork, as prescribed by the Grand Lodge, under the 
control of the Master ; and in all other matters, in aid of 
the Master, who is the primary executive authority of 
the Lodge : 

2d. Legislative — Including all matters of legislation 
relative to its internal concerns, wdiich shall not be in 
violation of the general regulations of Masonry, the Con- 
stitution or Regulations of the Grand Lodge, or its own 
particular b3Maws : and 

3d. Judicial — Embracing the exercise of discipline 
over its own members (except the Master) and all other 
Masons within its jurisdiction, and the settlement of con- 
troversies between them ; subject always to a revision 
by the Grand Lodge, upon appeal. 

Sec. 2. Each Lodge shall have not more than one 
stated meeting in each lunar month, but may hold such 
other meetings as it may determine, or the Master shall 
direct ; but no business of an}^ kind, except collections 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.W.'. GRAND LODGE. 45 

or appropriations for charity, conferring of degrees, 
ceremonial observances, or balloting for Commissioners 
to try charges of unmasonic conduct, shall be done at 
any other than a stated meeting, unless by dispensation 
from the Grand Master, as provided in Sec. 1, Art. I, 
Part II. And all business, except the examination of 
candidates and conferring of the subordinate degrees, 
shall be done in a Lodge of Master Masons. 

Sec. 3. Each chartered and duly constituted Lodge 
shall be represented in the G-rand Lodge at every Com- 
munication, by one or more of its proper officers, or by a 
representative duly elected as provided in Art. II, Part 
YII, which representative shall have credentials in the 
form provided in Art. Ill, Part YII. 

Sec. 4. Each chartered Lodge shall transmit to the 
Grand Secretary a full and correct return of its transac- 
tions for the twelve months next preceding the first day 
of August in each 3^ear, within fifteen days thereafter, in 
the form provided in Art. Ill, Part VII; and each Lodge 
under dispensation shall transmit a similar return from 
the date of its organization to the first day of October, 
in each year, without delay; and every Lodge shall ac- 
company such return w^ith payment of its dues to the 
Grand Lodge for those periods, as prescribed in Sec. 4, 
Art. YIII, Part I. 

Sec. 5. Each Lodge shall transmit to the Grand Sec- 
retary a copy of its by-laws, as soon as adopted ; but no 
such by-laws, nor any subsequent amendments thereunto, 
shall be deemed valid until approved by the Grand 
Lodge, though they may be acted under until the next 
Annual Communication, if approved by the Grand Mas- 
ter. 

Sec. 6. Each chartered Lodge shall, within two 
months from the date of its charter, provide a suitable 
seal, bearing such devices as may be deemed proper, and 
having inscribed thereon the name and number of the 
Lodge, the date of its charter, and the place of its location ; 



46 THE CALIFOENIA DIGEST t)F MASONIC LAW. 

and all documents or papers of every kind whatsoever, 
emanating from sucli Lodge, or from its Master or Secre- 
tary, in his official capacity, shall bear the impress of 
such seal, or be considered null and of no effect. 

Sec. 7. Each Lodge shall have all official communi- 
cations from the Grand Master or Grand Secretary read 
in open Lodge, at the stated meeting next following their 
receipt. 

Sec. 8. Each Lodge shall provide the several books 
prescribed in Sec. 2, Art. V, Part TV, to be kept by its 
Secretary, which shall be prepared in accordance with, 
forms to be provided. 

Sec. 9. Each Lodge shall provide, in such manner as 
it may deem proper, for the payment of its officers or 
representative in attending the Communications of the 
Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 10. For the neglect or violation of any duty im- 
posed upon a Lodge in this Constitution, its charter may 
be suspended or forfeited ; and for the neglect or viola- 
tion of any duty herein imposed upon a Secretary, his 
Lodge shall be held responsible. 

ARTICLE III. 

OF PROHIBITIONS. 

Section 1. No Lodge shall remove its place of meet- 
ing from that named in its dispensation or charter, unless 
notice shall have been given at a stated meeting that a 
resolution for such removal will be offered at the next 
succeeding one, nor unless such resolution shall have 
been adopted by the votes of at least two-thirds of the 
members present at such succeeding meeting ; nor shall 
such removal then take place until the action of the 
Lodge shall have been approved by the Grand Lodge or 
Grand Master. 

Sec. 2. No Lodge in this State shall receive an appli- 
cation for the degrees of Masonry unless the applicant 
shall have been a resident within the State during twelve 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.W.'.GRAND LODGE. 47 

months, and within the jurisdiction of the Lodge during 
six months, next preceding the date of his appHcation. 
Nor shall any Lodge receive such application from any 
person, who, within tAvelve months next preceding, shall 
have been rejected by any Lodge, unless by dispensation 
from the Grand Master, as provided in Sec. 1, Art. I, 
Part II. All such applications, as well as those for affili- 
ation, shall be in writing, signed by the applicant, and 
recommended by at least two members of the Lodge, in 
the forms prescribed in Art. 3, Part YII. 

Sec. 3. No Lodge shall ballot upon such application 
(except by dispensation from the Grand Master, as pro- 
vided in Sec. 1, Art. I, Part II), until it shall have been 
referred to a committee, whose duty it shall be to make 
strict examination into the moral, mental, and physical 
qualifications of the applicant, and to report thereon at 
the next stated meeting, unless further time be granted. 
No application shall be withdrawn after reference to a 
committee, and it shall require an unanimous ballot to 
elect. But if one black ball only appear in the ballot- 
box, the Master, without declaring the result, may at 
once order a second ballot for the purpose of correcting 
a possible mistake. 

Sec. 4. No dispensation shall be issued to a Lodge to 
ballot for and confer the degrees upon a candidate with- 
out reference to a committee as provided in the preced- 
ing section, nor to receive and act upon the petition of a 
rejected applicant within less than twelve months after 
the date of such rejection, unless the application there- 
for be made by the Lodge, by an unanimous vote by 
ballot ; and of the special meeting to be holden under 
such dispensation, and the purpose thereof, the members 
of the Lodge shall have due notice. 

Sec. 5. No Lodge, unless it be otherwise provided in 
its By-laws, shall have more than one ballot for the three 
degrees : but, though an applicant may be elected to re- 
ceive them, if, at any time before his initiation, objection 



48 THE CALIFOENIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

be made by any member, he shall not receive the degree 
until such objection shall have been withdrawn ; and if, 
after his initiation, but before being passed, or after 
passing, before being raised, objection to his advance- 
ment be made by any member, such objection shall be 
referred to a committee, with power to inquire into the 
cause thereof, who shall, at the next stated meeting 
(unless further time be given) report thereon ; and 
upon the reception of such report, if no cause for the 
objection has been assigned, or if the cause assigned be, 
in the opinion of two-thirds of the members present, not 
a valid and Masonic one, the Lodge may confer the de- 
gree in the same manner as if no objection had been 
made. 

Sec. 6. No Lodge shall advance an Entered Appren- 
tice or a Fellow-Craft to a higher degree until, after a 
strict examination .in open Lodge, he shall have given 
satisfactory evidence that he is entirely proficient and 
well qualified in that or those which he has already 
taken ; and no Entered Apprentice or Fellow-Craft shall 
be advanced to a higher degree in any Lodge other than 
that in which he shall have received those, or either of 
those degrees, unless by the official consent of such 
Lodge, if it then be in existence. 

Sec. 7. No Lodge within this State shall confer the 
three degrees for a less fee than fifty dollars ; nor shall 
any Lodge without the State, and under this jurisdic- 
tion, confer them for a less fee than thirty dollars ; and 
in every case the fee for each, or all of the degrees, as 
may be regulated by the Lodge, shall accompany the 
application. 

Sec. 8. No Lodge shall confer degrees upon more 
than five candidates at any one meeting ; nor shall con- 
fer more than one degree upon any one candidate at any 
one meeting ; nor shall confer either of the degrees upon 
more than one candidate at a time. 

Sec. 9,f^No Lodge shall expel a member for the non- 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.'.W.'. GRAND LODGE. 49 

payment of his dues ; but in case any member shall have 
refused or neglected to pay his regular dues during a 
period of six months, he shall be notified by the Secre- 
tary that, unless at the next stated meeting, either his 
dues be paid, or sickness or inability to pay be shown as 
the cause of such refusal or neglect, he will be suspend- 
ed from all the rights and privileg'es of Masonry. If 
neither of these things be done, he shall be so suspended, 
unless, for special reasons shown, the Lodge may otherwise 
determine ; but any Mason thus suspended, who shall at 
any time pay the arrearages due at the time of his sus- 
pension, together with such further dues as would, had 
he retained his membership, have accrued against him 
to the date of such payment, shall by that act be restored. 

Sec. 10. No Lodge shall receive lectures from any 
person who is not duly authorized by the Grand Lodge 
or the Grand Master. 

Sec. 11. No Lodge shall receive an application for 
affiliation unless it be accompanied by a proper dimit 
from the Lodge of which the applicant was last a mem- 
ber, or a satisfactory explanation, in writing, of his in- 
ability to furnish such dimit. 

Sec. 12. No Lodge shall hold Masonic communica- 
tion with any Lodge which has been declared illegal by 
the Grand Lodge, or with any person who has received 
degrees in, or is a member of such a Lodge. 

Sec. 13. No Lodge shall admit a visitor without due 
inquiry or examination, nor if there be, in the opinion of 
the Master, a valid objection made to such admission by 
a member of the Lodge. 

Sec. 14. No Lodge which shall have failed to make 
its annual returns, as provided in Sec. 4, Art. II, Part 
III, and in Sec. 1, Art. V, Part IV, shall be entitled to 
representation at the next Communication. 

Sec. 15. No Lodge, until chartered and duly consti- 
tuted) shall be entitled to representation in the Grand 
Lodge ; but a Lodge under dispensation may send dele- 
7 



50 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

gates thereto, who may be admitted to seats and be per- 
mitted to speak, but shall have no vote. 

ARTICLE IV. 

OF THE DISSOLUTION OF LODGES. 

Section 1. A Lodge may be dissolved — 

1st. By the voluntary surrender of its charter, when 
such surrender shall have been accepted by the Grand 
Lodge : and 

2d. By the revocation of its charter by the G-rand 
Lodge. 

Sec. 2. The charter of a Lodge may be surrendered 
if notice shall be given at a stated meeting that a reso- 
lution to that effect will be presented at the next suc- 
ceeding one, and if, at such succeeding meeting, there 
shall not be seven members present who oppose such 
resolution ; but no such act of surrender shall be consid- 
ered final until it shall have been approved and accepted 
by the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 3. The charter of a Lodge may be forfeited — 

1st. By disobedience to any provision of the Consti- 
tution or Regulations of the Grand Lodge : 

2d. By disregard to the lawful authority of the Grand 
Master : 

3d. By violation or neglect of the ancient and recog- 
nized usages of the Craft : or 

4th. By failure to meet during a period of six succes- 
sive months. But no charter shall be forfeited unless 
charges against the Lodge shall have been presented to 
and investigated in the Grand Lodge, of which charges 
the Lodge accused shall have had due notice ; though 
the same may be arrested until the next Annual Commu- 
nication, either by the Grand Lodge or the Grand Master, 
upon satisfactory reasons therefor being shown. 

Sec. 4. The forfeiture or arrest of the charter of a 
Lodge involves the suspension of all its members from 
the rights and privileges of Masonry, excepting those 
who may be specially exempted from such effect. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.W.'. GRAND LODGE. 51 

Sec. 5. The surrender or forfeiture of the charter of 
a Lodge, when declared by the G-rand Lodge, shall be 
conclusive upon the Lodge and its members ; and all its 
funds, jewels, furniture, dues, and property of every 
kind shall be disposed of as provided in Sec. 5, Art. VIII, 
Part I. 



PART IV. 

Of the Office7's of Subordinate Lodges. 



ARTICLE I. 
OP elections and appointments. 

Section 1. The Master, Wardens, Treasurer, and 
Secretary of each Lodge shall be elected annually, by 
ballot, at the stated meeting next preceding the anni- 
versary of St. John the Evangelist : and a majority of 
the votes of the members present shall be necessary to 
elect. They shall be installed as soon as practicable 
thereafter, and shall hold their respective offices until 
their successors shall have been duly elected and installed. 

Sec. 2. In case any Lodge shall fail to hold such 
election at the time above named, upon good cause being 
show^n therefor, the Grand Master may issue a dispensa- 
tion to hold such election at another time ; and in case a 
vacancy shall at any time occur in either of the offices of 
Master or Warden in any Lodge, upon proper represen- 
tation of the necessity therefor, the Grand Master may 
issue a dispensation for an election to fill such vacancy. 
But in either of these cases, such dispensation shall be 
issued only upon the application of the Lodge, setting 
forth the reasons therefor, to be approved by two-thirds 
of the members present at a stated meeting, and to be 
properly certified by the Secretary ; and of the special 



52 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OP MASONIC LAW. 

» 

election which may thus be ordered, the members shall 
have due notice. 

Sec. 3. Every member in good standing, and whose 
dues are paid, shall be entitled to a vote at all elections ; 
and every voter shall be eligible to any office in the 
Lodge. 

Sec. 4. The Deacons, Tyler, and^such other subordi- 
nate officers as the by-laws of each Lodge may designate, 
shall be appointed in such manner as they may direct : 
and the officers so appointed shall be properly invested 
as soon as practicable after their appointment. 

ARTICLE 11. 

OF THE MASTER. 

Section 1. The Master shall have power — 

1st. To congregate his Lodge whenever he shall deem 
it proper: 

2d. To issue, or cause to be issued, all summonses and 
notices which may be required : 

8d. To discharge all the executive functions of his 
Lodge : and 

4th. To perform all such other acts, by ancient usage 
proper to his office, as shall not be in contravention of 
any provision of the Constitution or Regulations of the 
Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 2. It shall be his duty — 

1st. To preside at all meetings of his Lodge : 

2d. To confer all degrees in strict accordance with the 
ritual which has been, or may hereafter be ordained by 
the Grand Lodge : 

3d. To give, in full, the lectures appertaining to each 
degree, at the time it is conferred, in accordance with 
such ritual : 

4th. To superintend the official acts of all the officers 
of his Lodge, and see that their respective duties are 
properly discharged : and 

5th. To carefully guard against any infraction, by the 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.W. '.GRAND LODGE. 5B 

members of his Lodge, of its own by-laws, of the Consti- 
tution or Regulations of the Grand Lodge, or of the gen- 
eral regulations of Masonry. 

Sec. 3. From the decisions of the Master there shall 
be no appeal to the Lodge ; but objections to such deci- 
sions may be laid before the Grand Master, and by him 
be dealt with in the manner provided in Art. II, Part YI. 

Sec. 4. In all cases of a tie vote, except votes by bal- 
lot, the Master, in addition to his proper vote, may have 
the casting vote. 

Sec. 5. For the neglect or violation of any duty im- 
posed by this Constitution upon the Master of a Lodge, 
he shall be subject to deprivation of office, suspension, or 
expulsion, as provided in Art. II, Part VI. 

ARTICLE in. 

OF THE WARDENS. 

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Wardens to 
assist the Master in the performance of his duties, and to 
discharge all those duties which ancient usage has as- 
signed to their respective stations. 

Sec. 2. In the absence of the Master, the Senior War- 
den (and in his absence also the Junior Warden) shall 
succeed to and be charged with all the powers and duties 
of the Master. 

ARTICLE IV. 

OF THE TREASURER. 

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer — 

1st. To receive and safely keep all moneys or property 
of every kind which shall be placed in his hands by order 
of the Lodge : 

2d. To disburse or transfer the same, or any part 
thereof, upon the order of the Master, duly attested by 
the Secretary : 

3d. To keep a book or books wherein a correct ac- 
count of his receipts and disbursements shall be ex- 
hibited : 



54 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OP MASONIC LAW. 

4th. To present a statement of the finances of the 
Lodge whenever required : and 

5th. To perform such other duties, appertaining to his 
office, as the by-laws may require, or the Lodge may at 
any time direct. 

ARTICLE V. 

OF THE SECRETARY. 

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Secretary — 

1st. To record all the proceedings at each meeting, 
which it is proper should be written, under the direction 
of the Master ; and to submit such record to the Lodge 
nt its next stated meeting for approval or correction : 

2d. To prepare and transmit a copy of such record, or 
•of any part thereof, to the G-rand Lodge, when required : 

3d. To collect and receive all moneys due to the 
Lodge, and pay them over to the Treasurer : 

4th. To keep the seal of the Lodge, and to affix the 
same, with his attestation, to all papers issued under its 
authority, or in obedience to the requirements of the 
Constitution and Regulations of the Grand Lodge : 

5th. To transmit to the G-rand Secretary, immediately 
after each election and installation in the Lodge, a cer- 
tificate thereof, in the form prescribed in Art. Ill, Part 
VII: 

6th. To transmit to the Grand Secretary the annual 
return required in Sec. 4, Art. II, Part III, in the form 
provided in Art. Ill, Part YII : and 

7th. To report to the Grand Secretary, immediately 
after their occurrence, all rejections, expulsions, suspen- 
sions, and restorations, in the forms provided in Art. Ill, 
Part VIL 

Sec. 2. He shall keep the following books of the 
Lodge, in such forms as may be provided : 

1st. A Record Book, in which he shall record all the 
transactions of the Lodge, proper to be written, after the 
same shall have been approved : 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.'.W/.GRAND LODGE. 55 

2d. A Book of By-Laws, for the signatures of the mem- 
bers in the order of their admission : 

3d. A Roll Book, in which he shall record, upon pages 
alphabetically arranged, the names of all belonging to 
the Lodge ; the dates of their initiation, passing, raising, 
or affiliation ; the name, number, and location of the 
Lodges of which those affiliated were last members ; the 
age and occupation of each when received; and the dates 
of their Avithdrawal, expulsion, suspension, death, or res- 
toration : 

4th. A Black Book, in which he shall record, upon 
pages alphabetically arranged, the names of those re- 
jected, expelled, suspended, or restored by any of the 
Lodges, so far as he shall receive the proper notice 
thereof : and 

5th. A Register, to be kept in the Tyler's room, in 
which all members shall record their names ; and all vis- 
itors shall record their names and the names, numbers, 
and locations of their respective Lodges, before entering 
the Lodge. 

Sec. 3. He shall also keep such Account Books as 
may be necessary to present clearly the account of each 
member with the Lodge, the receipts of the Secretary, 
and his payments to the Treasurer ; and shall preserve 
the Books of Constitutions and Regulations of the G-rand 
Lodge, which may from time to time be published, to- 
gether with all the printed proceedings thereof, as pro- 
mulgated by its order. 

ARTICLE VL 

OF THE APPOINTED OFFICERS. 

Section 1. The Deacons, Tyler, and other appointed 
officers, shall perform such duties, consonant with the 
usages of the Craft and appertaining to their respective 
offices, as may be required by the by-laws, or directed 
by the Master. 



56 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

PART V. 

Of Individual Masons. 



ARTICLE I. 

OF MEMBERSHIP. 

Section 1. Membership in a Lodge may be acquired — 

Lst. By having regularly received the degree of Mas- 
ter Mason therein : 

2d. By having been duly elected for affiliation there- 
with : and 

3d. By having been named in a dispensation for a new 
Lodge, as one of the petitioners therefor. 

Sec. 2. No Mason shall be a member of more than 
one Lodge at the same time. 

Sec. 3. Membership in a Lodge can onty be termin- 
ated — 

1st. By the dissolution of the Lodge : 

2d. By voluntary withdrawal therefrom : and 

3d. By death, suspension, or expulsion. 

Sec. 4. A member of a Lodge, in good standing, and 
whose dues are paid, may withdraw therefrom at any 
time by giving notice of his intention so to do at a stated 
meeting ; but no recommendatory certificate shall be 
given him, except by a vote of the majority of the mem- 
bers of the Lodge then present. 

ARTICLE 11. 

OF DUTIES, PROHIBITIONS, AND PENALTIES. 

Section 1. It is the duty of every Master Mason to 
be a member of some Lodge ; and every one who, having 
resided six months within the jurisdiction of a Lodge, 
shall refuse or neglect to make application so to be, or 
who shall not have regularl}^ contributed to such Lodge 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.W.'.GRAND LODGE. 57 

an amount equivalent to its regular dues, while able so 
to do, shall be deemed unworthy of Masonic considera- 
tion, and shall not be entitled to, nor be the recipient of, 
any of the rights, privileges, or charities of the Order. 

Sec. 2. No member of a Lodge shall be required to 
divulge his vote upon a ballot for affiliation, or for the 
degrees of Masonry; nor to assign reasons for such vote, 
if it be known. 

Sec. 3. No Mason shall hold any Masonic intercourse 
with an expelled or suspended Mason, with an illegal 
Lodge, with any person who has received degrees 
therein, or is a member thereof, nor with any Mason not 
acknowledged as such by this G-rand Lodge. 

Sec. 4. For non-payment of his dues, a member may 
be suspended from all the rights and privileges of Ma- 
sonry, in the manner provided in Sec. 9, Art. Ill, Part III. 

Sec. 5. For any violation of the Ancient Landmarks 
of the Order, of the Constitution or Regulations of the 
Grand Lodge, of the by-laws of his Lodge, or of any por- 
tion of the Masonic or moral law, a member, or any other 
Mason within the jurisdiction of a Lodge, may be repri- 
manded, suspended, or expelled, in the manner provided 
in Art. IV, Part VI. 



PART VI . 

Of Trials, Appeals, and Penalties. 



ARTICLE i 

RELATIVE TO THE GRAND MASTER. 

Section 1. Charges may be preferred against the 
Grand Master for abuse of his power, violation of the 
Constitution or Regulations of the G-rand Lodge, or other 
unmasonic conduct, by any five Masters of Lodges ; 



58 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

which charges shall be in writing, over their signatures, 
and shall be presented to the last Past Grand Master of 
this Grand Lodge who may be within the State, and who 
is a member of a Lodge within its jurisdiction. 

Sec. 2. Upon the presentation of such charges, it 
shall be the duty of such Past Grand Master to transmit 
a copy thereof to the accused, if within the State, at 
least thirty days, and if without the State, at least ninety 
days, before the time designated for the trial, together 
with a notification to attend at such time, and at the 
place he may therein name, which shall be one most con- 
venient for the parties ; and he shall also summon four 
or more other Past Grand Masters of this State, who 
shall be members of Lodges therein, to assemble with 
him at the time and place designated, and shall notify 
the accused thereof. 

Sec. 3. The tribunal thus assembled, or any of its 
members, shall have power to summon witnesses at the 
request of either party ; it shall receive such testimony 
as in its judgment shall be proper, and shall determine 
finally upon the guilt or innocence of the accused ; and 
the opinion of a majority shall be the judgment of the 
tribunal, and shall be final. 

Sec. 4. The only penalty inflicted shall be depriva- 
tion of office ; but, when thus deprived, the adjudged 
may be amenable to his Lodge upon a charge of unma- 
sonic conduct. 

Sec. 5. The Grand Secretary shall attend at the trial 
to keep a record of the proceedings and of the judgment, 
which shall be filed in his office, and shall be presented 
at the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 6. All necessary traveling expenses of the mem- 
bers of such tribunal shall be paid by the Grand Lodge, 
in the same manner as those of Grand Officers attending 
its Communications. 



CONSTITUTION OP THE M.'.W.'. GRAND LODGE. 59 

ARTICLE II. 

RELATIVE TO MASTERS OF LODGES. 

Section 1. Charges may be preferred against the 
Master of a Lodge for abuse of his power, violation of 
the Constitution or Regulations, or for unmasonic con- 
duct of any kind, by any five Master Masons in good 
standing ; which charges shall be in writing, over their 
signatures, and shall be presented to the Grand Lodge, 
if in session, or to the Grand Master during the vacation. 

Sec. 2. Upon the presentation of such charges, the 
Grand Lodge, or the Grand Master, as the case may be, 
may at once appoint and summon not less than three nor 
more than seven disinterested Masters, to assemble as 
Commissioners to hear and determine thereupon ; and 
shall then summon the accused to appear and answer 
thereunto, at such time and place most convenient for 
the parties as shall be indicated in said summons, giving 
him, if within the jurisdiction of his Lodge, at least ten 
days — if without that jurisdiction and within the State, 
at least thirt}^ days — and if without the State, at least 
ninety days — to answer thereunto ; and transmitting to 
him also a copy of the charges. 

Sec. 3. The Commissioners, thus assembled, shall 
choose one of their number to preside ; and they, or any 
of them, shaU have power to summon witnesses at the 
request of either party. The witnesses, if Masons, shall 
testify upon their honor as such ; if not, their depositions 
shall be taken, in writing, before an officer legally author- 
ized to administer oaths ; and, in such case, the party re- 
quiring such depositions shall notify the other of the 
time and place when and where they will be taken, that 
he may, if he choose, be present thereat. 

Sec. 4. The Commissioners may adjourn from time tc 
time, at their own convenience, or for good cause shown 
by either party ; provided^ that the period within which 
their duties shall be concluded, shall not exceed ten days. 



60 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

"unless, for sufficient reasons, the Grand Master shall 
grant them further time. 

Sec. 5. The opinion of a majority of the Commission- 
ers shall be deemed the judgment of the whole, and 
shall be conclusive, unless an appeal be taken at the next 
Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. 

Sec. 6. The penalties which may be inflicted by such 
Commissioners, may be either deprivation of office, sus- 
pension, or expulsion, as in their judgment shall be 
deemed proper. 

Sec. 7. The Commissioners shall keep a complete 
record of their proceedings and of their judgment, and 
shall transmit the same to the Grand Secretary, at the 
conclusion of the trial ; and the judgment shall at once 
be carried into effect by order of the Grand Master. 

Sec. 8. An appeal to the Grand Lodge maybe taken 
at its next Annual Communication, by either party, if 
notice thereof be given to the Grand Secretary within 
thirty days after the conclusion of the trial. 

ARTICLE in. 

RELATIVE TO LODGES AND MEMBERS OP DIFFERENT LODGES. 

Section 1. When a controversy shall arise between 
Lodges, or between a Lodge and a member or members 
of another Lodge, charges may be preferred by either 
party, if in good standing ; which charges shall be in 
writing, and shall be presented to the Grand Lodge or 
Grand Master, as provided in Sec. 1, Art. II of this Part. 

Sec. 2. Upon the presentation of such charges, not 
less than five nor more than seven Commissioners shall 
be appointed and summoned, as provided in Sec. 2, 
Art. II of this Part, which Commissioners shall be Mas- 
ters or Wardens, and shall be selected from at least three 
different Lodges not interested in the controversy, and 
most convenient to the parties ; and the accused party 
shah be summoned, with such time to answer as pro- 
vided in the section and article last quoted. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.-.W.'. GRAND LODGE. 61 

Sec. 3. The Commissioners shall have power to pro- 
ceed, and shall keep a record of their proceedings and 
judgment in the same manner as provided in Art. II of 
this Part ; and the penalties which they may inflict may 
be any known to Masonic usage ; or, if the case be one not 
involving a violation of Masonic duty, the decision may 
be such special one as the circumstances shall, in their 
judgment, warrant. 

Sec. 4. An appeal may be taken by either party to 
the Grand Lodge, as provided in Sec. 8, Art. II of this 
Part. 

ARTICLE IV. 

RELATIVE TO MASONS INDIVIDUALLY. 

Section 1. When any member of a Lodge (except 
its Master or the Grand Master), or any Mason residing 
within its jurisdiction, shall be accused of unmasonic 
conduct, charges to that effect may be preferred by any 
Master Mason in good standing ; which charges shall be 
in writing, over his signature, and shall be presented to 
the Master of the Lodge having jurisdiction thereof. 

Sec. 2. Upon the presentation of such charges, it 
shall be the duty of the Master, by due notification, to 
call a special meeting of his Lodge, as soon as practica- 
ble, and there cause to be elected, by ballot, and by a 
majority of those present, not less than seven nor more 
than nine of its members, who shall assemble as Com- 
missioners, to hear and determine thereupon, at such 
time and place, convenient to the parties, as he shall in- 
dicate ; and he shall also summon the accused to appear 
and answer thereunto at such time and place ; and shall, 
at the same time, cause the Secretary to furnish him 
with a copy of the charges, and to notify the accuser of 
the said time and place of trial. 

Sec. 3. If the accused be within the jurisdiction of 
the Lodge, the summons and copy of the charges shall 
be issued at least ten days prior to the day appointed for 



62 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

the trial, and shall be served personally by the Tyler, or 
shall be left at his ordinary residence or place of busi- 
ness. If he be without the said jurisdiction, but within 
the State, and his residence be known, they shall be 
issued at least thirty days before the day of trial, and 
shall be forwarded to his address by the Secretary, by 
mail or other usual mode of conveyance, which shall be 
deemed sufficient service. If he be without the State, 
and his residence be known, they shall be issued at least 
ninety days before the trial, and shall be forwarded to 
his address by the Secretary, as before provided, which 
shall be sufficient service. If his address is unknown, the 
Master shall order the trial to proceed at once upon the 
testimony, ea^jparfe. 

Sec. 4. The Commissioners shall assemble at the 
time and place appointed, and shall be presided over by 
the Master, who shall decide all questions of Masonic 
law which may arise during the trial, but shall have no 
vote in the final decision of the case by the Commission- 
ers ; and the Secretary, by order of the Master, shall 
attend them and keep a full and correct record of the 
proceedings and of the judgment, under their super- 
vision. 

Sec. 5. The Master shall summon such witnesses, 
within the jurisdiction of his Lodge, as may be desired 
by either party, and the accused may select any brother 
in good standing to assist him in his defenes. The wit- 
nesses, if Masons, shall testify on their honor as such ; if 
not, their depositions shall be taken in writing, before 
an officer legally authorized to administer oaths, and, in 
such case, the party requiring such depositions shall 
notify the other of the time and place when and where 
they will be taken, that he may, if he choose, be present 
thereat. 

Sec. 6. The Commissioners may adjourn from time 
to time, at their own convenience, or for sufficient cause 
shown by either party; provided, that the period within 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.*.W.'.GRAND LODGE. 6B 

which their duties shall be concluded sliall not exceed 
ten days, unless, for good reasons shown, the Master shall 
grant them further time. 

Sec. 7. After all the testimony shall have been re- 
ceived, the Commissioners shall proceed to deliberate 
upon their verdict and sentence, with none present save 
themselves and the Secretary, which last shall have no 
voice in the proceedings. The judgment of a majority 
of the Commissioners shall be taken as the decision of 
the whole ; and when the trial is concluded, the Secretary 
shall make a fair copy of the record and finding, under 
their supervision, which shall be signed by the Chairman 
of such Commission, and attested by the Secretary, and 
shall be presented to the Master, who, at the next meet- 
ing of his Lodge, shall, in the presence of its members 
only, announce the result, and direct the Secretary to 
record the same as the judgment of the Lodge, and file 
the record for safe keeping among its archives. 

Sec. 8. The penalties which may be inflicted are 
reprimand in open Lodge, suspension, or expulsion. If 
the sentence be reprimand, the Master shall summon the 
adjudged to appear at the next stated meeting, when it 
shall be carried into effect, in the presence only of mem- 
bers of the Lodge. If it be suspension or expulsion, it 
shall at once go into effect, and the Secretary shall imme- 
diately notify the Grand Secretary thereof ; and it shall 
be final and conclusive, unless an appeal be taken to the 
G-rand Lodge. 

Sec. 9. An appeal may be taken to the Grand Lodge 
by either party, at its next succeeding Annual Commu- 
nication, but not unless a notice of such intended appeal 
shall be given to the Master within thirty days after 
his announcement of the result of the trial. And in all 
cases of expulsion or suspension, the Master shall cause 
the Secretary to prepare a transcript of the record of 
trial, and immediately transmit it to the Grand Secretary, 
together with information of the appeal intended, if an}^ 
there be. 



64 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

ARTICLE V. 

OF REVISIONS AND RESTORATIONS. 

Section 1. All judgments from which an appeal shall 
be taken, as hereinbefore in this Part provided, shall be 
reviewed in the Grand Lodge, or before a committee 
thereof, during its sessions, upon the record sent up, and 
upon such other proper documents as may be submitted ; 
and its decision shall be final and conclusive. 

Sec. 2. All sentences of suspension shall be for an 
indefinite period ; and a Lodge may, at any stated meet- 
ing, by the votes of two-thirds of the members present, 
annul any such sentence of suspension pronounced by 
itself, and restore the Mason thus suspended to all his 
Masonic rights ; provided, that notice of a resolution for 
-such restoration shall have been given at the stated meet- 
ing next preceding. And in case of such restoration, 
the Secretary shall at once notify the Grand Secretary 
thereof. 

Sec. 3. The Grand Lodge may, at any Annual Com- 
munication, if good cause therefor be shown, restore a 
Mason who has been suspended or expelled within its 
jurisdiction : but such restoration shall not restore him 
to membership in the Lodge by which he was suspended 
or expelled. 

Sec. 4. No suspension, expulsion, or restoration shall 
be published otherwise than as hereinbefore provided, 
except by authority of the Grand Lodge, or by order of 
the Grand Master. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.-.W.-.(JRAND LODGE. 65 

PART VII. 

Of Ameiidments, Definitions, and Forms. 



ARTICLE I. 

OF AMENDMENTS. 

Section 1. An}^ proposed amendment to this Consti- 
tution shall be presented at an Annual Communication, 
and shall in all cases be referred to the Committee on 
Jurisprudence, who shall report before a vote thereon 
be taken. 

Sec. 2. After the report of said committee, if the 
vote in favor of such proposed amendment be unanimous, 
it shall be declared adopted ; and from and after the 
close of that Communication, shall become a part of the 
Constitution. 

Sec. 3. If the vote in favor of such proposed amend- 
ment be not unanimous, but there be a majority there- 
for, it shall lie over for one year, and shall be published 
with the proceedings, under the caption of " Proposed 
Amendments to the Constitution ; " and if, at the next 
succeeding Annual Communication, it shall receive two- 
thirds of the votes given thereon, it shall be declared 
adopted, and from and after the close of that Communi- 
cation, shall become a part of the Constitution. 

Sec. 4. No vote upon a proposed amendment shall 
be taken after the election of the Grand officers. 

Sec. 5. All former written Constitutions of this Grand 
Lodge are hereby repealed, as are also all Regulations, or 
parts thereof, which are repugnant to or inconsistent 
with this Constitution ; and no Regulation shall hereafter 
be adopted which shall be in violation of or inconsistent 
with any of its provisions. 



66 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 



ARTICLE II. 

OF D EFINITIONS. 

The words and terms used in this Constitution shall 
bear the construction which is given them in the follow- 
ing definitions : 

Grand Master. — This title applies, not only to him 
who has been elected and installed as Grand Master, but 
to either of the Grand Officers who, under the provis- 
ions of Art. II, Part 11, of this Constitution, shall have 
succeeded to the powers and duties of Grand Master. 

Master. — This title applies, not only to him who has 
been elected and installed as Master, but to either of the 
Wardens, who, under the provisions of Art. Ill, Part 
TV, of this Constitution, shall have succeeded to the 
powers and duties of the Master. 

Past Grand Officer. — This title applies only to one 
of the six elective Grand Officers who has been regularly 
elected and installed, and has served his term as such in 
this Grand Lodge ; and who remains a member, in good 
standing, of some Lodge under its jurisdiction. 

Past Master. — This title applies only to one who has 
been regularly elected, or named in a charter, and in- 
stalled, and has served a term as Master of a chartered 
Lodge, within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge ; and 
who still remains a member, in good standing, of one of 
its subordinates. 

Representative. — The Bepresentative of a Lodge 
within this State, is one who, being a member thereof, 
in the event that neither the Master nor either of the 
Wardens can be present at the Grand Lodge, has been 
elected by the Lodge, at a stated meeting, or at a special 
meeting called for that purpose, by ballot, and by a ma- 
jority of the votes present, to represent it at the next 
Communication. A Lodge without the State, may be 
represented by a member of any Lodge under this juris- 
diction, elected as before. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.W.'.GRAND LODGE. 67 

Vacancy. — Yacancies in office, either in a Lodge or 
in the Grand Lodge, may occur by death, deprivation, 
resignation, removal from the jurisdiction, suspension, or 
expulsion. 

Jurisdiction. — The jurisdiction of the G-rand Lodge 
includes all Lodges and Masons witliin the territorial 
limits of this State, and all Lodges and their members 
without this State, acting under its authority. 

The jurisdiction of a Lodge includes all Masons residing 
nearer to its place of meeting than to that of any other 
Lodge within this State, except in towns or cities where 
more than one Lodge exists ; in which case, each of such 
Lodges has separate jurisdiction over its own members, 
and concurrent jurisdiction over all Masons not members 
of one of such Lodges, who reside in such town or city, 
or nearer thereto than to any other place where a Lodge 
exists. 

Regulation. — ^By a regulation of the Grand Lodge is 
meant any resolution, edict, law, or ordinance of any kind 
whatever, other than the Constitution, which it may 
adopt. 

Suspension. — The suspension of a Lodge is an arrest 
of its charter, and a temporary prohibition to assemble 
or work as a legal Lodge, until again authorized so to 
do by competent authority ; and the act suspends all its 
members, except those especially exempted from its 
effect. 

The suspension of the Master of a Lodge is a temporary 
deprivation of his office, and prohibits all recognition of 
him in that capacity, until he be restored by competent 
authority. 

The suspension of a Mason is a temporary deprivation 
of all his rights and privileges as such, and prohibits all 
Masons and Lodges from holding any Masonic inter- 
course whatever with him, until he shall be legally re- 
stored by the Lodge which suspended him, or by the 
Grand Lodge. 



68 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Expulsion. — The expulsion of a Mason is the highest 
penalty known to the Masonic law. It is an absolute 
deprivation of all the rights and privileges of the Order, 
and prohibits all Masons and Lodges from holding any 
Masonic intercourse Avith him forever, unless he be 
restored by the Grand Lodge. 

Notification. — A notification is a call issued by the 
Secretary, by order of the Lodge or Master, or by other 
competent authority as hereinbefore provided, to attend 
for some specific purpose at the time and place therein 
indicated ; and it is the duty of every Mason to comply 
with its direction, if he can, without great inconvenience, 
do so. 

Summons. — A summons is an imperative order, issued 
by the Master, or by other competent authority, as 
hereinbefore provided, to appear at such time and place 
as may therein be designated. The obligation to obey 
it is absolute, and the penalty for disobedience shall be 
expulsion, unless it shall be shown that such disobe- 
dience was unavoidable, or was occasioned by some 
pressing necessity. 

Stated Meetings. — The stated meetings of a Lodge 
is the one only meeting in each lunar month, at which 
business may be done, with the exceptions specified in 
Sec. 2, Art. II, Part III. It shall be designated as such 
in the by-laws of each Lodge, and no adjourned or called 
meeting shall ever be considered as a part of such stated 
meeting. 

ARTICLE IIL 

of forms. 

Form of Certificate for a Diploma. 

Lodge, No . . . , F. and A. M., i 

, A.L. 58.. j 

To the Very Worshipful , 

Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of California : 

I hereby certify that Brother is a Master 



CONSTITUTION OP THE M/.W.*. GRAND LODGE. 09 

Mason and a member of this Lodge, in good standing ; 
and as such he is hereby recommended for a Grand 
Lodge Diploma, upon payment of the usual fees. 
Given under my hand and the Seal of the 

Lodge aforesaid, at the date above written. 
[Seal.] , Secretary. 



Form of Certificate for a Diploma for the benefit of the 
family of a deceased Brother. 

Lodge, No. . . . , F. and A. M., ) 

, A.L. 58.. ) 

To the Yery Worshipful , 

Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of California : 

I hereby certify that Brother , who died 

at , on the .... day of , A. L. 58. . , 

was, at the date of his decease, a Master Mason and a 
member of this Lodge, in good standing ; and that he 
left {here insert ^'awidoiv,^^ "a child,^\ or ^'children" or 
any of them, as the case may be], for whose benefit a Grand 
Lodge Diploma is desired. 

Given by order of the Lodge aforesaid, at the 
date first above written, as witness my hand 
and the Seal thereof. 
[Seal.] , Secretar}^ 



Form of Petition for a Dispensation to form a new Lodge. 

To the Most Worshipful , 

Grand Master of Masons in California : 

The petition of the undersigned respectfully repre- 
sents, that they are Master Masons in good standing ; that 
they were last members of the respective Lodges named 
opposite their several signatures hereunto, as will ap- 



70 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

pear from the dimits of each of the petitioners, herewith 

transmitted ; that they reside in or near the of 

, in the county of , in the 

State of CaUfornia ; that among them are a sufficient 
number of brethren well qualified to open and hold a 
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and to discharge 
all its various duties in the three degrees of Ancient 
Masonry, in accordance with established usage ; and that, 
having the prosperity of the Craft at heart, and being 
desirous to use their best endeavors for the diffusion of 
its beneficent principles, they pray for a Dispensation 
empowering them to form, open, and hold a regular 

Lodge at the of , aforesaid, to be 

called Lodge. 

They have nominated, and respectfully recommend 

Brother as the first Master, Brother 

as the first Senior Warden, and Brother as 

the first Junior Warden of the said Lodge, they being 
in all respects competent to perform all the duties of the 
several stations for which they are proposed ; and, if the 
prayer of the petitioners be granted, they promise in all 
things strict obedience to the commands of the Grand 
Master, and undeviating conformity to the Constitution 
and Regulations of the Grand Lodge. 

Dated at , on the . . . day of , A. L. 58. . 



Signatures. 



Name and No. of Lodae. 



State or Country. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.W/.GRAND LODGE. 71 

Form of Recommendation of a Petition for the Institution 
of a neio Lodge. 

Lodge, No. . . . , F. and A. M., 



. and A. M.^ | 

, A.L.58..') 



To the Most Worshipful , 

Grand Master of Masons in California : 

At a stated meeting of this Lodge, held at the date 
above written, the following preamble and resolution 
were adopted : 

'' Whereas, A petition for the issue of a Dispensation 

to form and open a new Lodge at , in the county 

of , has been presented to this Lodge for its 

recommendation ; and ivhereas, it is known to this Lodge 
that the signers to said petition, .... in number, are all 
Master Masons in good standing, and that a safe and 
suitable Lodge-room has been provided by them for their 
meetings : it is 

" Resolved, That the establishment of said new Lodge 
is of manifest propriety, and will conduce to the good of 
the Order, and that this Lodge recommends to the Grand 
Master the granting of the Dispensation prayed for in 
said petition." 

A true copy from the minutes. 

Li testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand 
and affixed the Seal of the Lodge aforesaid, 
at the date above written. 
[Seal.] , Secretary. 



Form of Certificate of the Qualifications of the Master 
proposed in a Petition for a new Lodge. 

To the Most Worshipful , 

Grand Master of Masons in California: 



The petition of .... brethren, residing at the 



72 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

of , in tlie county of , praying the 

Grand Master for a Dispensation to open and hold a new 

Lodge at said , to be called Lodge, 

having been presented to me ; and Brother being 

recommended therein for nomination as the first Master 

of said proposed new Lodge : now, I Master of 

Lodge, No , do hereby certify that, to my 

positive knowledge, said Brother is fully com- 
petent properly to confer the three degrees of Masonry, 
and to deliver entire the several lectures thereunto ap- 
pertaining. 

Given at , in the county of , this . . . 

day of , A. L. 58. . 

J 

Master. 

FoEM of Petition for a Charter. 
To the M.'.W.*. Grand Lodge of California : 

The undersigned respectfully represent that on the 

.... day of A. L. 58 ... a Dispensation was 

issued by the Grand Master, for the formation of a new 

Lodge at , in the county of , by the name 

of Lodge ] that on the . . . day of next 

ensuing, said Lodge was opened and organized, and has 
since continued successfully to work during the period 
named in said Dispensation, as will appear from its rec- 
ords, by-laws, and returns, herewith presented ; and that 
it is the anxious desire of the members of said Lodge 
that its existence be perpetuated. 

They therefore pray that a charter be granted to said 
Lodge, by the name of Lodge, with such num- 
ber as the usage of the Grand Lodge may assign it ; and 

recommend that Brother be named therein 

as Master, Brother as Senior Warden, and 

Brother as Junior Warden : promising, as here- 
tofore, strict obedience to the commands of the Grand 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.*.W.'. GRAND LODOE. 73 

Master, and uncle viating conformity to the Constitution 
and Regulations of the Grand Lodge. 

Given by instruction from, and on behalf of said Lodge, 
at , this . . . day of , A. L. 58. . , 



Delegates. 



Form of Credential for a Representative elected by a Lodge. 

Lodge, No. ..,F. & A. M. 

A. L. 58.. 



To the M.-.W.*. Grand Lodge of California : 

This is to certify that, at a meeting of this 

Lodge, held at the date above written, it having been 
made known that neither the Master nor either of the 
Wardens thereof would be enabled to attend the Grand 

Lodge at its next Annual Communication, Bro 

, a member of the Lodge, was, by ballot, duly 

olected to serve as its Representative during said Com- 
munication. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, 
and have caused the Secretary to affix the 
[Seal.] Seal of the Lodge, with his attestation, at the 
date above written. 

, Master. 

, Secretary. 



Form of Petition for tJie Degrees of Masonry. 

To the Worshipful Master, the Wardens, and Members of 

Lodge, No. . . ., F. & A. M. : 

The undersigned respectfully represents, that, unbi- 
ased by friends and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, 
he freel}^ and voluntarily offers himself as a candidate 

10 



74 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OP MASONIC LAW. 

for the mysteries of Masonry; that he is prompted to so- 
licit this privilege by a favorable opinion conceived of 
the institution, a desire for knowledge, and a sincere wish 
to be serviceable to his fellow-creatures ; that he has re- 
sided in the State of California more than one year, and 
at the place below named more than six months, next 
preceding the date hereof ; that he has not, within twelve 
months past, been rejected by any Lodge of Free and 
Accepted Masons ; and that he promises, if found worthy, 
to conform to all the ancient usages and regulations of 
the Fraternity. 

His place of residence is , , his age, 

years, and his occupation 

[Date] ,18... 

[Signature] 



Kecommended by Bros. 

[To he members of the Lodge.'] 



Form of Application for Membership. 

To the Worshipful Master, the Wardens, and Brethren of 
Lodge, No. ...,F. & A. M. : 

The undersigned respectfully represents, that he is a 
Master Mason, in good standing ; that he was last a mem- 
ber of Lodge, No. . . , in the of ... . 

, from which he has honorably withdrawn, as by 

the accompanying certificate will appear ; and that he 
now desires, if found worthy, to become a member of 
your Lodge. 

His place of residence is , his age 

years, and his occupation 

[Bate] , A. M., 58.. 

[Signature] 

Recommended by Bros, -j 

[To be members of the Lodge.] 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.'.W.'.GRAND LODGE. 75 



Form of Certificate of the Election and Installation of the 
Officers of a Subordinate Lodge, 



Lodge, No. . . , F. & A. M., 



A. L. 58.. j 



To the Yery Worshipful , 

Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of California : 

I hereby certify that, at the stated meeting of this 
Lodge held on the day above written, it being that next 
preceding the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist, the 
following officers were duly elected for the ensuing Ma- 
sonic year, viz. : 

Bro , Master ; 

Bro , Sen. Warden ; 

Bro , Jun. Warden ; 

Bro , Treasurer ; 

Bro , Secretary. 

And that on the .... day of , A. L. 58 . . , said 

officers were duly installed by {Jiere give the name and Ma- 
sonic title of the installing officer']. 

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Lodge, 
on the day last above written. 
[Seal.] , Secretary. 



Form of Notice of Bejections, Siispensions, Expulsions, and 
Restorations. 

Lodge, No. . . , F. & A. M., ) 

A. L. 58 . . [ 

To the Yery Worshipful , 

Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of California: 

I hereby certify that, at a stated meeting of this Lodge 

held at the date above written, the petition of , 

an applicant for the degrees of Masonry, was rejected. 



76 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OP MASONIC LAW. 

(Or, Bro , after due notice, as prescribed 

in tlie Constitution, Avas suspended from all the rights 
and privileges of Masonry, for non-payment of his dues.) 

(Or, Bro. , after due trial, in the manner 

prescribed in the Constitution, was declared to be sus- 
pended from all the rights and privileges of Masonr}", 
for unmasonic conduct.) 

{Or, Bro . . , after due trial, in the manner 

prescribed in the Constitution, was declared to be ex- 
pelled from all the rights and privileges of Masonry, for 
unmasonic conduct.) 

{Or, Bro , heretofore suspended by this 

Lodge for non-payment of dues, having paid up all arrear- 
ages (or, having had his dues remitted by the Lodge), 
as provided in the Constitution, resumed his rights and 
privileges as a Mason and as a member of this Lodge.) 

{Or, Bro. , heretofore suspended by this 

Lodge for unmasonic conduct, was, by a two-thirds vote, 
in the manner prescribed in the Constitution, restored to 
all his rights and privileges as a Mason and as a member 
of this Lodge. 

Given under my hand and the seal of the Lodge 
aforesaid, at the date above written. 
[Seal.] , Secretary. 



CONSTITUTION OP THE M/.W/. GRAND LODGE. 



77 



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p U T? J o 

o^ Sana 



GENERAL REGULATIONS 



x^u& ^0^ge 0i §u\xi0tni^. 



1. The practice of dueling being repugnant to the 
principles of Freemasonry, in all cases where two breth- 
ren resort to this mode of settling their disputes, it shall 
be the duty of the Lodge or Lodges of which they are 
members, or within whose jurisdiction they may reside 
forthwith to expel them from all the rights and privileges 
of Masonry ; and no brother who may fall in a duel shall 
be buried with Masonic honors. [1854.] 

2. All bodies purporting to be Masonic Lodges — held 
in the United States or any of their Territories, within 
the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of any State or Ter- 
ritory^ — without authority from such Grand Lodge, and 
all the members thereof, are declared illegal. [1854.] 

3. All Lodges within this State, having concurrent 
jurisdiction with other Lodges, shall immediately notify 
such others of all applications for membership or initia- 
tion. [1854.] 

4. This Grand Lodge, having recognized the principle 
that no one should be initiated into the mysteries of our 
Order, except in the Lodge nearest his place of residence 
(unless by its permission), and having, by an established 
regulation, taken care to avoid infringing the jurisdic- 
tional rights of others, will not tolerate that its own 



GENERAL REGULATIONS OF THE M.'.W/.GRAND LODGE. 79 

be invaded ; and it is therefore ordered that no Lodge, 
subordinate to the Grand Lodge of California, shall admit 
to membership any person who, being at the time a resi- 
dent of this State, has received, or claims to have re- 
ceived, the degrees of Masonry from any source beyond 
its jurisdiction, without the proper permission, until ho 
shall have paid the Lodge to which he applies for mem- 
bership, the full amount charged by that Lodge for con- 
ferring the degrees, less the sum paid by him to the 
Lodge in which he received them. [1855, 1857.] 

5. This Grand Lodge recognizes no degree of Past 
Master conferred by any authority not holden under a 
legitimate Grand Lodge — acknowledging only the Order 
of that name as its exists in the ceremonies attending 
the installation of the Master elect of a chartered Lodge ; 
Avhich Order shall be conferred only by a convocation of 
Present or Past Masters, not less than three in number, 
who have thus regularly received it. [1855.] 

6. All Masonic communication between the Lodges 
and Masons of this jurisdiction and those acknowledging 
allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Hamburg, is hereby 
forbidden, while that body shall continue its unlawful 
and reprehensible invasion of the jurisdictional rights of 
the Grand Lodge of New York. [1855.] 

7. Such standard of revenue shall be continued here- 
after as will afford an excess over the current expendi- 
tures of at least one thousand dollars ; which excess shall 
each year be set aside as an accumulating fund, for the 
future erection of a Masonic Hall, and shall not be used 
for any other purpose. At each Annual Communication, 
a Board of Trustees, three in number, shall be elected, 
whose duty it shall be judiciously to invest all moneys 
set aside for such fund, and all moneys accruing from the 
interest on such investments ; and each member of said 
Board shall execute and file in the office of the Grand 
Secretary, a bond in the penal sum of $5,000, to be 
approved by the Grand Master, Grand Treasurer, and 



80 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Grand Secretary, conditioned that he will faithfully per- 
form the duties of his trust. [1856.] 

8. All members of Lodges, the charters of which have 
been surrendered, who were in good standing at the date 
of such surrender, and whose dues shall have been paid, 
are entitled to and may receive from the Grand Secre- 
tary, a certificate to that effect. [1858.] 

9. No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall be allowed 
to transact business, other than the conferring of degrees, 
with a less number than seven members present. [1859.] 

10. The Grand Secretary is authorized to charge the 
sum of one dollar, for the use of the Grand Lodge, for 
each copy of its printed proceedings for the current year, 
other than the four copies to be sent to each subordinate 
Lodge, and those required for transmission abroad, for 
future binding, and for the use of the Grand Lodge at its 
next succeeding Annual Communication. [1859.] 

11. All Masons, heretofore stricken from the rolls of 
Lodges within this jurisdiction, for non-payment of dues, 
who have not been reinstated, are hereby declared to be 
suspended, as provided in Sec. 9, Art. Ill, Part III, of 
the Constitution. [1859.] 

12. The names of Entered Apprentices and Fellow- 
Crafts shall be returned to the Grand Lodge for two 
years only, in either of those degrees, but this shall not 
affect their position in their respective Lodges. [1860, 
1862.] 

13. In addition to the dues prescribed in the Consti- 
tution, there shall be levied hereafter upon the subordi- 
nate Lodges the sum of seventy-five cents for each Mas- 
ter Mason wdiose name is borne upon their rolls at the 
date of the annual returns, which shall constitute a spe- 
cial fund to be denominated '• The Representative Fund ;" 
and it shall be the duty of the several Lodges to pay the 
said sum at the time and in the manner directed in the 
Constitution for the payment of their annual dues. At 
each Annual Communication, an auditing committee, to 



GENERAL REGULATIONS OF THE M.*.W.*. GRAND LODGE. 81 

consist of three, shall be appointed by the Grand Master, 
who shall audit all accounts of Representatives of Lodges 
for tlieir necessary traveling expenses to and from the 
place of the Communication, and shall certify the amount 
due each Representative to the Grand Secretary, who 
shall thereupon draw his warrant upon the Grand Treas- 
urer therefor ; but no warrant shall issue to more than 
one Representative from any Lodge, nor shall any Repre- 
sentative receive payment for such traveling expenses 
whose Lodge shall not have paid its dues for the current 
year, or who shall not. have been in attendance during 
the entire Communication. [1861, 1865.] 

14. The appointed Grand Officers and the Chairmen of 
standing committees shall receive paymient for their nec- 
essary traveling expenses to and from each Annual Com- 
munication of the Grand Lodge, in the same manner as 
ordered for the Representatives of Lodges ; but no such 
Officer, Chairman, or Representative, shall receive such 
payment in more than one of those capacities, nor shall 
he receive it unless he shall have been in attendance at 
such Communication from the first to the last day 
thereof, inclusive (unless excused by the Grand Lodge) ^ 
nor if he shall already have been paid for such traveling 
expenses by any other Masonic Grand Body. [1862, 
1863, 1864.]" 

15. The work and lectures presented by the committee 
appointed for their examination and revision, are ap- 
proved, adopted, and made obligatory upon all Lodges 
within this jurisdiction ; and any Lodge which shall have 
had opportunity to obtain instruction therein, and shall 
neglect or refuse to learn and use the same, shall, upon 
representation of that fact to the Grand Master, be liable 
to the arrest of its charter, if, in his discretion, he shall 
think it proper. [1863, 1864.] 

16. Non-affiliated Masons, who are suspended by oper- 
ation of Sec. 1, Art. II, Part Y, of the Constitution, if 
they desire to restore themselves by affiliation, shall pay 

11 



82 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

a sum equivalent to six months' dues, in addition to the 
affiliation fee required by the by-laws of the Lodge to 
which they may apply; or, if they desire to restore them- 
selves by contribution, they shall pay a sum equivalent to 
the amount of the regular dues of the Lodge within 
whose jurisdiction they reside, during the whole period 
of such residence, unless sickness or inability to pay 
be shown as the reason for such non-affiliation or non- 
payment. [1866.] 

17. When it is the intention of any Lodge to take 
measures to apply to the Grand Lodge for the restoration 
of a Mason who has been expelled, it shall be the duty of 
the Master thereof to notify the members of his Lodge ^ 
as far as possible, of the time when such proposed action 
will be had ; and to cause to be recorded, in the minutes 
of the meeting at which such action shall be had, the fact 
that such notification was duly given. [1864.] 

18. The person who desires to be made a Mason must 
be a man ; no woman nor eunuch ; freeborn, neither a slave 
nor the son of a bondwoman ; a believer in God and a 
future existence ; of moral conduct ; capable of reading 
and writing ; not deformed or dismembered, but hale and 
sound in his physical conformation, having his right 
limbs as a man ought to have ; and be able to conform 
literally to what the several degrees respectively require 
of him. [1864.] 

19. Whenever any Mason, under sentence of suspen- 
sion, who has submitted to the judgment of the subordi- 
nate Lodge, or whose sentence of suspension has been 
affirmed by the Grand Lodge, desires to apply to the 
Grand Lodge for restoration to the rights and privileges 
of Masonry, it shall be his duty first to make such appli- 
cation to the Lodge by which he was suspended ; and, if 
it be there refused, that then it may be made to the Grand 
Lodge, provided that due notice be given to the subordi- 
nate Lodge of such intended application. [1865.] 

20. Whenever it is the intention of a person, who has 



GENERAL REGULATIONS OF THE M/.W.'.GRAND LODGE. 83 

been expelled from the rights and privileges of Masonry, 
to petition the G-rand Lodge for restoration, it shall be 
his duty to notify the Lodge which expelled him of such 
intention, at least sixty days before the meeting of the 
G-rand Lodge, accompanying said notice with a copy of 
his intended petition ; and before said petition shall be 
considered by the Grand Lodge, proof shall be made of 
the giving of said notice. [1866.] 



TH 



TJIIFOEM CODE OF BY-LA¥S, 

As Revised and Recommended by the Grand Lodge 
IN May, i860. 



ARTICLE L 

OF NAME AND OFFICERS. 

Section 1. This Lodge shall be known by the name 

of Lodge, No , of Free and 

Accepted Masons, and its officers shall consist of a Mas- 
ter, a Senior Warden, a Junior Warden, a Treasurer, a 
Secretary, a Senior Deacon, a Junior Deacon, a Marshal, 
two Stewards, a Tyler, and such other officers as the 
Lodge may deem proper to appoint. 

ARTICLE II. 

OF ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. 

Section 1. The Master, the Senior and Junior Ward- 
ens, the Treasurer, and the Secretary shall be elected by 
ballot, in conformity with Section 1, Article I, Part lY, 
of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge. The other offi- 
cers shall be appointed by the Master, except the Junior 
Deacon, who may be appointed by the Senior Warden. 

ARTICLE III. 

OF MEETINGS OF THE LODGE. 

Section 1. The stated meetings of this Lodge shall 
be holden on the in each month. 



THE UNIFORM CODE OF BY-LAWS. 85 

Sec, 2. Special meetings may be called from time to 
time, as the Lodge, or the presiding officer thereof, may 
direct. 

ARTICLE IV. 

OF INITIATION AND MEMBERSHIP. 

Section 1. All petitions for initiation or affiliation 
must be signed by the petitioner, and be recommended 
by two members of the Lodge. Every such petition 
shall be referred to a committee of three, whose duty it 
shall be to report thereon at the next stated meeting 
(unless further time be granted), when the applicant may 
be balloted for and received or rejected, or the ballot 
may be postponed until the ensuing stated meeting, as 
the Lodge may determine. 

Sec. 2. If an applicant, elected to receive the degrees 
in this Lodge, does not come forward to be initiated 
within three months thereafter, the fee shall be forfeited, 
unless the Lodge shall otherwise direct. 

Sec. 3. Every person raised to the degree of Master 
Mason in or elected a member of this Lodge, shall sign 
the By-Laws thereof. 

ARTICLE Y. 

OF THE TREASURER. 

Section 1. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys 
from the Secretary; shall keep an accurate and just ac- 
count thereof; and shall pay the same out only upon an 
order duly signed by the Master, and countersigned by 
the Secretary. He shall, at the stated meetings in June 
and December of each year, submit a report in full of 
the monetary transactions of the Lodge. The Lodge 
may also, at any time, when considered necessary, cause 
him to present an account of his receipts and disburse- 
ments, and of the amount of funds on hand. 

Sec. 2. He shall, if required by the Lodge, execute 
a good and sufficient bond to the Master, for the faithful 
performance of his duties. 



86 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

ARTICLE yi. 

OF THE SECRETARY. 

Section 1. The Secretary shall keep a faithful rec- 
ord of all proceedmgs proper to be written ; shall trans- 
mit a copy of the same to the Grand Lodge, when re- 
quired ; shall keep a separate account for each member 
of the Lodge ; shall report at the stated meetings in 
June and December, the amounts due by each ; shall re- 
ceive all moneys due the Lodge, and pay the same to the 
Treasurer ; and shall perform all such other duties as 
may properly appertain to his office. 

Sec. 2. He shall receive such compensation for his 
services as the Lodge may direct. 

ARTICLE VIL 

OF the TYLER. 

Section 1. The Tyler, in addition to the necessary 
duties of his office, shall serve all notices and summonses, 
and perform such other services as may be required of 
him by the Lodge. 

Sec. 2. He shall receive such compensation for his 
services as the Lodge may direct. 

ARTICLE VIIL 

- OF FEES. 

Section 1. The table of fees for this Lodge shall be 
as follows : for the degree of Entered Apprentice, $....; 
for the degree of Fellow-Craft, $....; for the degree of 
Master Mason, $....; for Affiliation, $ 

ARTICLE IX. 

OF DUES. 

Section 1. The dues of each member of this Lodge 

shall be , payable quarterly in advance. 

Sec. 2. No member who shall be in arrears for dues 



THE UNIFORM CODE OF BY-LAWS. 87 

at the time of the annual election, shall be permitted to 
vote, or shall be eligible to any office. 

Sec. 3. Any member who shall have been suspended 
for non-payment of his dues, shall be restored to mem- 
bership upon payment of all arrearages. 

Sec. 4. Any member in good standing may withdraw 
from membership, by paying his dues and notifying the 
Lodge to that effect at a stated meeting ; but no recom- 
mendatory certificate shall be issued, unless ordered by 
the Lodge. 

ARTICLE X. 

OF COMMITTEES. 

Section 1. The Master and Wardens shall be a Char- 
ity Committee, and shall have power to draw upon the 

Treasurer for any sum, not exceeding 

dollars, at any one time, for the relief of a distressed 
worthy brother, his wife, widow, or orphans. 

Sec. 2. The Master, at the stated meeting next suc- 
ceeding his installation, shall appoint an auditing com- 
mittee, whose duty it shall be to examine all accounts 
presented against the Lodge. 

Sec. 3. All reports of committees shall be made in 
writing. 

ARTICLE XL 

OF REVEALING THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE LODGE. 

Section 1. When a candidate for initiation or affilia- 
tion is rejected, or a brother reprimanded, suspended, or 
expelled, no member or visitor shall reveal, either di- 
rectly or indirectly, to such person, or to any other, any 
transactions which may have taken place on the subject ; 
nor shall any proceeding of the Lodge, not proper to be 
made public, be disclosed outside thereof, under the 
penalty of reprimand, suspension, or expulsion, as the 
Lodge may determine. 



88 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

ARTICLE XII. 

OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS. 

Section 1. The regular order of business at every 
stated meeting of this Lodge, shall be as follows : 
1. Reading of the Minutes. 2. Reports of Committees. 
3. Ballotings. 4. Reception of Petitions. 5. Miscella- 
neous and Unfinished Business. 6. Conferring Degrees. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

OF AMENDMENTS. 

Section 1. These By-Laws, so far as relates to the 
times of meeting, and the amounts of fees, dues, and 
disbursements by the Charity Committee, may be amend- 
ed at any stated meeting, by the votes of two-thirds of 
of the members present, provided that notice of such 
amendment shall have been given at the stated meeting 
next preceding ; but such amendment shall have no eifect 
until approved by the G-rand Lodge or Grand Master, 
and until such approval shall have been transmitted to 
the Crand Secretary. 



OF THE 

(and ^&A%t of €lalHtf»ttia, 

As Adopted May, A.L. 5855. 



ARTICLE I. 

Section 1. After the Grand Lodge is opened, the 
Grand Secretary shall call a roll of the members. 

Sec. 2. The Grand Master shall then appoint a Com- 
mittee on Credentials. 

Sec. 3. The Grand Master, after the report of the 
Committee on Credentials is returned, shall appoint the 
various committees, as provided in the Constitution. 

Sec. 4. The Grand Secretary and the Grand Treas- 
urer shall, on the afternoon of the first day of the session, 
make their reports, which shall be read and referred to 
the Finance Committee. 

ARTICLE II. 

Section 1. After the business is completed, as laid 
down in the foregoing article, petitions shaM be read 
and referred to the appropriate committees. 
12 



90 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OP MASONIC LAW. 

Sec. 2. All committees shall make their reports in 
writing, before the final close of the Communication, 
and be discharged, unless otherwise ordered. This is 
not to include the Committees on Foreign Correspond- 
ence and Unfinished Business. 

ARTICLE III. 

Section 1. The order of business at each session, 
after the first day, shall be as follows : 

1. Reading and approving the minutes of the preced- 
ing session. 

2. Eeports of the Committee on Credentials. 

3. Reports of Unfinished Business of previous Com- 
munication. 

4. Motions and resolutions, and reference or other dis- 
position of the same. 

5. Reports of Standing Committees, and action there- 
on ; the Committee on Foreign Correspondence to have 
precedence. 

6. Reports of Special Committees of last and present 
Communication, and action thereon. 

7. Special orders and motions (if any). 

8. Consideration of Amendments to the Constitution, 
General Regulations and Rules (if any). 

9. Unfinished Business of previous session (if any). 

10. Miscellaneous business, not included in any of the 
foregoing. 

Sec. 2. Should the business, as laid down, not be 
concluded at the session at which it is first called up, 
it shall be commenced at the next succeeding session, 
where it was left off, and so on through the Communica- 
tion, taking up the order of business as set forth ; pro- 
vided, that the reading of the minutes be first in order 
at each session. 



BY-LAWS OF THE M/.W.*. GRAND LODGE. 91 



ARTICLE IV. 

Section 1. No member, representative, or proxy shall, 
under any pretense, be admitted into the Grand Lodge, 
without his proper clothing, or be allowed to vote with- 
out his jewel, unless he offer a satisfactory excuse, and 
have permission from the Grand Lodge. 

ARTICLE V. 

Section 1. In filling blanks, the largest sum or num- 
ber and the longest time shall be first stated. 

Sec. 2. No member shall speak more than twice upon 
the same subject, unless he first obtain consent of the 
Grand Lodge, nor then more than five minutes at either 
time. 

Sec. 3. All reports, motions, and resolutions must be 
in writing before being introduced. 

Sec. 4. The rules of order shall not be suspended at 
any time, except by unanimous consent. 

Sec. 5. No new motion or other business shall be 
received, except in regular routine. 

Sec. 6. No motion to reconsider a vote or motion 
shall be entertained, unless made at the same session 
of the same day on which the question shall have been 
decided ; nor shall it be in order, unless moved by one 
of the majority, and duly seconded. 

Sec. 7. If the previous question should be called for 
by the representatives of one Lodge, and duly seconded 
by the representatives of another, and the majority of 
the members present sustain such call, it shall be put in 
this form : " Shall the main question be now put ? " and 
if carried, such main question shall be the original prop- 
osition as amended at the time of adoption of the call 
for the previous question. 



92 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Sec. 8. Any of these By-Laws may be amended by 
notice in writing being given at one session, and to be 
acted upon at the next ; and it shall require two-thirds 
of all present to carry such amendment. 

Sec. 9. All other By-Laws of this Grand Lodge are 
hereby repealed, from and after the close of the present 
Communication. 



CALIFOENIA 



Mason ic Code 



CALIFORIIA MASOIIC CODE. 



POWERS OF A GRAND MASTER. 

There is no appeal from the ruling of a Grand Master. 
The authorities and the reasoning may be found fully set 
forth by Mackey, in his Masonic Jurisprudence, where 
he gives not only his own views, but those of some of the 
ablest Masonic jurists in the country ; and the question 
has already been decided by this Grand Lodge, vide 
pages 108 and 109, Yol. I, of our Proceedings. — Commit- 
tee on Jurisprudence^ p. 100, 1865. 

See Sec. 2, Art. IV, Part I, Constitution. 
Sees. 2, 3, Art. Y, Part I, Constitution. 
Sec. -, Art. I, Part II, Constitution. 



POWERS AND DUTIES OF MASTERS OF LODGES. 

Resolved, That when it is the intention of any Lodge to 
take measures to apply to the Grand Lodge for the res- 
toration of a Mason who has been expelled, it shall be 
the duty of the Master thereof to notify the members of 
his Lodge, as far as possible, of the time when such pro- 
posed action will be had ; and to cause to be spread upon 
the minutes of the meeting at which such action shall be 
had, the fact that such notification was duly given. — ^p. 
354, 1864. 



96 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

On the third decision, which relates to the duty of the 
Master of a Lodge upon the decision of an objection to 
advancement, your committee say that, ordinarily, the 
Master of the Craft is the proper one to judge of the fit- 
ness of the materials of which his building is to be com- 
posed. But, when the Lodge has decided that the appli- 
cant is worthy, and the required proficiency has been 
attained, the Master should, if not absolutely contrary to 
his obligations, proceed to confer the next degree. — Com- 
mittee on Jurisprudence, p. 110, 1863. 

The Master of a Lodge has absolute control within his 
Lodge. Our ritual prescribes that none shall enter with- 
out his permission, and he may refuse admission to any 
at his discretion. He may even cause a member of his 
Lodge to be excluded or removed, but he must recollect 
that there should be strong cause for the exercise of such 
an act of authority, and that the Constitution provides a 
remedy for those who may be aggrieved by the abuse of 
the power which his station temporarily gives him. — De- 
cision of Grand Master N. Greene Curtis, p. 381, 1860. 

Your committee believe the law to be, that in all cases 
of a tie vote (except by ballot), the Master, in addition 
to his proper vote, has the right to give the casting 
vote. — Committee on Grievances, p. 118, 1859. 

See Votes in a Lodge, p. 99. 

Opening and Closing of Lodges, p. 97. 

Notifications and Summonses, p. 125. 

Admission and Advancement of Candidates, p. 106. 

Art. II, Part IV, Constitution. 

General Regulation, No. 17. 



MASTERS AND WARDENS. 

I have been asked so often to construe Sec. 4, Art. I, 
Part V, of the Constitution, that it seems proper to re- 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 97 

peat here what I have many times decided, in answer to 
particular inquiries — 1st. That the Master, or an}^ other 
officer of a Lodge, may withdraw therefrom in the same 
manner as any other member, and that whatever may be 
the rule elsewhere, our laws make no distinction. — Decis- 
ion of Grand Mctster Belcher, p. 251, 1854 : Approved by 
Grand Lodge, p. 366, 1864. 

See Sec. -, Art. I, Part IV, Constitution. 
Sec. -, Art. Ill, Part IV, Constitution. 



OPENING AND CLOSING OF LODGES. 

A Master may, if he choose, omit a portion of the usual 
ceremony of opening or closing a Lodge, but your com- 
mittee are not acquainted with the regulation which 
authorizes an entire waiver of all these ceremonies. — 
p. 74, 1861. 

See Business of a Lodge, p. 98. 



WORK AND LECTURES. 

Your committee believe that a uniform system of work 
is not only earnestly desired by a large majority of the 
Lodges in our jurisdiction, but that the establishment of 
such uniformity is entirely practicable at this time ; and 
so believing, for the purpose of securing such a system 
and affording to the Lodges a thorough instruction there- 
in, they offer the following resolutions and recommend 
their adoption : 

Resolved, That the Grand Master, Deputy Grand 
Master, and three Past Masters, to be appointed by the 
Grand Master, be constituted a committee, who shall 
assemble at the call of the Grand Master, for the purpose 
of examining and revising the work and lectures as here- 
tofore adopted by this Grand Lodge, 
is" 



98 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Resolved^ That when such revision as they may deem 
requisite shall have been made by said committee, the 
Grand Master shall appoint a Grand Lecturer and as 
many Deputy Grand Lecturers as may be necessary, in 
order that the Lodges of the jurisdiction may be fully 
instructed in the system of work approved and adopted 
by this Grand Lodge. 

Resolved, That the Grand Lecturer shall receive a sal- 
ary of $1,000 per annum from this Grand Lodge, and be 
entitled to receive from such Lodges as he may visit and 
instruct, all necessary traveling expenses accruing by 
reason of such visitation ; and that each Deputy Grand 
Lecturer shall receive from each Lodge visited, the trav- 
eling expenses attending such visitation. 

Resolved, That after due and timely notice has been 
given the Lodges under this jurisdiction, of the work 
and appointment of the Grand Lecturer and Deputy 
Grand Lecturers, and said Lodges have had full oppor- 
tunity to obtain instruction in said system of work and 
lectures, any Lodge neglecting or refusing to learn and 
use such work, so approved and adopted by this Grand 
Lodge, shall, on proper representation of the facts to the 
Grand Master, be liable to the arrest of its charter (if 
in his discretion he shall think proper), until they shall 
conform in all things to the regulations of the Grand 
Lodge in the premises. — Committee on Jurisprudence, pp. 
101-2, 1863. 

See Sec. 10, Art. Ill, Part X, Constitution. 
General Regulation, No. 15. 



BUSINESS OF A LODGE. 

Resolved, That no Lodge under this jurisdiction be 
allowed to transact business, other than the conferring 
of degrees, with a less number than seven members 
present. — GommMee on Jurisprudence, p. 107, 1859. 



CALIFOENIA MASONIC CODE. 99 

— They discover, however, that in several instances this 
Lodge has opened its stated Communications on the first 
or second degree ; deferring the approval of the minutes 
of the preceding stated Communication until after the 
conferring of the first or second degree, as the case 
might be. This your committee deem an irregularity, 
believing that the stated Communication should always 
be opened on the third degree, and that the first busi- 
ness transacted should be the approval of the minutes 
of the preceding stated and called Communications. — 
Committee on Charters, p. 50, 1861. 

See Lodges iiuder Dispensation, p. 103. 
Opening and Closing of Lodges, p. 97. 
Art. II, Part III. Constitution. 
General Regulation. No. 9. 



•VOTES m A LODGE. 

Your committee believe the law to be, that in all cases 
of a tie vote (except by ballot), the Master, in addition 
to his proper vote, has the right to give the casting- 
vote. — Committee on Grievances, p. 118, 1859. 

See Non-affiliated Masons, p. 114. 

Sec. 3, Art. I, Part IV, Constitution. 
Sec. 4, Art. II, Part IV, Constitution. 



BALLOTING. 

Your committee, to whom was referred the following 
proposition from Bro. J. P. Miller, viz. : "An Entered Ap- 
prentice, made elsewhere, petitions a Lodge for the second 
and third degrees. Accompanying his petition is a per- 
mission from the Lodge in which the first degree was 
conferred, for any other Lodge to receive his application 



100 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

for those other two. Can the Lodge to which he applies 
confer those degrees without subjecting the candidate to 
the ordeal of the ballot?" — have given it due considera- 
tion, and report as follows : 

Sections 2 and 3, of Article III, Part III, of our Consti- 
tution, plainly state that every application " for the de- 
grees of Masonry" must be referred to a committee, 
reported upon, and balloted for ; and that this applies to 
any, as well as all of the degrees, is perfect^ obvious 
from the fact that our Constitution allows the Lodges 
who wish so to do, to receive applications for the degrees 
separately. The law, and this plain construction of it, is 
founded upon simple common sense. Although a distant 
Lodge may have elected a candidate to receive the three 
degrees, and may have conferred one upon him, it does 
not at all follow that some other Lodge, within whose 
jurisdiction he has recently arrived, and to whose mem- 
bers he is perhaps an utter stranger, should confer the 
remaining degrees upon him without first endeavoring 
to ascertain his worthiness. The permission is not a re- 
quest to do the work for the Lodge granting it, but sim- 
ply authorizes some other Lodge, if it shall please, to 
confer the remaining degree or degrees ; and it is given 
only because both our own Constitution and the common 
law of Masonry forbid that any Lodge shall complete the 
unfinished work of another without its assent. It would 
be singular, indeed, if an Entered Apprentice or a 
Fellow-Craft Avere to be considered entitled to receive 
the remaining degrees or degree upon terms of less care- 
ful scrutiny than our laws provide for the application of 
a Master Mason for affiliation ; and your committee have 
no hesitation in saying that a petition for any degree or 
degrees must be referred, reported on, and balloted for, 
unless there be a dispensation from the Grand Master in 
regard to the reference, which our Constitution per- 
mits. — Report of Committee on Jurisjjrudence, p. 415, 
1866. 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 101 

— And every Mason should know and remember that 
it is neither his privilege nor his right to inquire -or to 
know how his neighbor may have voted upon any peti- 
tion, nor is it the right or the privilege of the neighbor 
to show or tell how he intends to vote or how he has 
Yoted.— Grand Master W. C. Belcher, p. 15, 1865. 

I think there should be but one ballot for the three 
degrees ; and if, by a fair construction, the law, as it is, 
does not prohibit absolutely the use of more than one, I 
advise that it be so amended that it will. — Grand Master 
Belcher, p. 12, 1863. 

Where it appears evident that a black ball has been care- 
lessly dropped, when a white one was intended, or when 
it is shown that a negative vote has been cast under a 
misapprehension as to the name or identity of the candi- 
date, your committee think that justice requires a cor- 
rection of the error. But it is better that such cases, 
unless corrected immediately, should take the usual 
course, when a re-ballot is desired, and be referred to the 
Grand Master, with all the necessary evidence, for his 
dispensation, if he deem one proper. — Committee on Ju- 
risprudence, p. 107, 1859. 

The power to cast adverse ballots must be free and 
unquestioned, or the ballot box will cease to express the 
wishes of the members of a Lodge. — S23ecial Committee, 
p. 113, 1859. 

See Rejected Candidates, p 112. 

Sec. 3, Art. Ill, Part III, Constitution. 
Sec. 2, Art. II, Part V, Constitution. 



WITHDRAWING PETITION BEFORE BALLOT. 

Your committee having carefully considered the ques- 
tion presented by Bro. Bishop, in regard to the course to 



102 THE CALIFORNIA ©IGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

be pursued upon an application for affiliation, report as 
follows : 

Taking the language of Sections 2 and 3, of Art. Ill, 
Part III, of the Constitution together, and construing 
them so as to give every part effect, there can be no 
question but that an application for affiliation must take 
the same course and be governed by the same rules as 
an application for the degrees. 

They therefore answer that an application for affilia- 
tion, having once been referred to a committee, cannot 
be withdrawn, but must go to a ballot. — Committee on 
Jurisprudence^ p. 98, 1865. 

See Sec. 3, Art. III. Part III, Constitution. 



REMOVALS OF LODGES. 

In several instances applications have been made for 
permission to remove only from one building to another, 
in the same town or village ; and, as the undersigned, 
when he prepared our present Constitution, certainly 
never intended that the prohibition to a Lodge to "re- 
move its place of meeting " should be construed so liter- 
ally, he has always answered that in such cases no action 
but that of the Lodge itself was necessary. The laAv 
says that " no Lodge shall remove its place of meeting 
from that named in its dispensation or charter, unless," 
etc., etc. ; and as the name of the city, town, or village is 
the only " place " mentioned in either of those instru- 
ments, it is only a removal from, and not within, such 
place which can require the proceedings prescribed in 
that portion of our Constitution providing for such 
cases. — Beport of Grand Secretary, p. 22, 1865. 

In the matter of the removal of a Lodge from the 
place of meeting named in its dispensation or charter, 
they are of the opinion that the language of Sec. 1, Art. 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 103 

III, Part III, of the Constitution, will bear no other con- 
struction than that which is given to it by the Grand 
Secretary. They therefore recommend the adoption by 
the Grand Lodge of the view so expressed, that the Con- 
stitution prohibits removal from the town or city in 
which a Lodge is located, and not removal from one hall 
to another loithin such town or city. — Committee on Juris- 
prudence, p. 98, 1865. 

See Sec. 1, Art. Ill, Part III, Constitution. 



LODGE MEETINGS ON SUNDAYS. 

We have often regretted the disposition of some of the 
Lodges of this jurisdiction to meet for Avork on the Sab- 
bath, as we deem it entirely inconsistent with and con- 
trary to the teachings of the institution. We distinctly 
teach regard for the Sabbath, based upon the example 
of the ancient craftsmen and the words of our Great 
Light ; and the clear and only inference from the teach- 
ings of our ritual is, that, as speculative workmen, we 
revere and follow the example of the Great Architect 
and of our operative brethren, in doing " no work on the 
Sabbath." — Committee on Correspondence, p. 32, 1865. 



LODGES UNDER DISPENSATION. 

Resolved, That whenever the Grand Master shall issue 
a dispensation for the formation of a new Lodge, such 
Lodge shall be required to procure a suitable record 
book, and enter therein a short history of the preliminary 
proceedings for its organization, with a copy of the peti- 
tion to the Grand Master and of the dispensation, before 
commencing the minutes of its proceedings. — Committee 
on Charters, p. 121, 1865. 



104 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Your committee are of the opinion that a charter 
should not be granted to any Lodge until it affirmatively 
appears, in a clear and positive manner, that there is a 
population within its jurisdiction sufficient to afford the 
requisite number of contributing members and unworked 
material, whereby to enable it to have sufficient pecuniary 
resources to support the character and dignity of the 
Lodge. — Committee on Dispensations and Charters, p. 120, 
1859. 

See Art. I, Part III, Constitution. 

Sec. 15, Art. Ill, Part III, Constitution. 



PROPERTY OF DISSOLVED LODGES. 

Your committee are of the opinion that upon the sur- 
render or forfeiture of the charter of a Lodge, all its 
effects become the property of the Grand Lodge, by 
operation of the Constitution ; and they deem it inexpe- 
dient for this Grand Lodge to make voluntary donations 
from its funds to individual Lodges. — p. 360, 1860. 

See Sec. 5, Art. YIII, Part I, Constitution. 
Art. IV, Part III, Constitution. 



JURISDICTION OF A LODGE. 

Your committee believe that the right of exclusive 
jurisdiction of a Lodge over parties living nearer to its 
place of meeting than to that of any other Lodge in the 
State, except in towns or cities where more than one 
Lodge exists, is a provision of the Constitution which 
must in all cases be strictly observed, in order that the 
harmony of the Craft be not disturbed. A Lodge should 
know the exact extent of its jurisdiction, and not rely 
for such information upon the statement of petitioners ; 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 105 

and if any doubt existed, certainly inquiry should be 
made of, and consultation had with, the neighboring 
Lodge or Lodges. — Committee on Jurisprudence, p. 374, 
1862. 

There is no one subject which has so often called forth 
an expression of opinion by this Grand Lodge as that of 
jurisdiction, and your committee can see no difference 
between a temporary sojourn under a Lodge in this, and 
under one of another jurisdiction. The principle is the 
same, and should be enforced. — Committee on Jurispru- 
dence, p. 117, 1859. 

The jurisdiction of each Lodge within the State, ex- 
cept those located in the cities, which have concurrent 
jurisdiction, extends in every direction to the geograph- 
ical center between it and the contiguous Lodges. The 
air line governs, and not the route of travel. — Decision 
of Grand Blaster Claiborne, p. 293, 1866. 

See Witnesses, Testimony, and Trials, p. 128. 

Admission and Advancement of Candidates, p. 106. 
Sec. 1, Art. 11, Part V, Constitution. 
Art. n, Part VII, Constitution. 
General Regulation, No. 4. 



CANDIDATES FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS. 

A Lodge cannot lawfully pass or raise an Entered 
Apprentice or Fellow-Craft, upon whom the authority 
of another jurisdiction rests, without first obtaining 
permission from the Lodge or G-rand Lodge in whose 
jurisdiction his original petition is filed. — Grand Master 
Claiborne, p. 293, 1866. 

See Jurisdiction of a Lodge, p. 104. 

Admission and Advancement of Candidates, p. 106. 
14 



106 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES. 

He who, in our day and in our country, so far forgets 
himself as to grow up to the stature of a man without 
being able to read or write, or who, having arrived at 
man's estate, neglects to acquire that abihty, is not 
deserving a place in our midst. He is not just and true 
to himself, nor can he be so to us. — Grand Master Belcher, 
p. 15, 1865. 

"The person who desires to be made a Mason must be 
a man ; no woman nor eunuch ; freeborn, neither a slave 
nor the son of a bondwoman ; a believer in God and a 
future existence ; of moral conduct ; capable of reading 
and writing ; not deformed or dismembered, but hale 
and sound in his physical conformation, having his right 
limbs as a man ought to have ; and be able to conform 
literally to what the several degrees respectively re- 
quire of him." — Committee on Jurisprudence, p. 364, 1864 ; 
adopted as a General Regulation. 



ADMISSION AND ADVANCEMENT OF CANDIDATES. 

" If an Entered Apprentice removes from the jurisdic- 
tion of the Lodge in which he received that degree, and 
is dropped from the report of the Lodge to the Grand 
Lodge, after two years, as provided by our laws, can he 
petition another Lodge within whose jurisdiction he may 
live, for the remaining degrees and receive them, if 
elected ? " — the Committee on Jurisprudence report that, 
under the provision of Sec. 6, Art. Ill, Part III, of our 
Constitution, he cannot. He may apply to the Lodge 
into whose jurisdiction he may have removed, but his 
application must be accompanied by a permission from 
the Lodge in which he received his first degree, if it be 
in existence, else his petition cannot be received. 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 107 

At first your committee were of opinion, that the act 
of dropping the Entered Apprentice from the return to 
the Grand Lodge was a relinquishment of all claim to 
him, but further examination shows that the law is plain, 
and to that the Lodges must adhere. It is not supposed 
that any Lodge to whom application is made would 
refuse or neglect to give such permission without good 
reason, which, as Masons, they would be willing to state. 
— Committee on Jurisprudence^ p. 349, 1864. 

1st. When an objection has been made, and a commit- 
tee appointed to investigate the causes of objection, 
what is the duty of the committee ; and may they advise 
the candidate of the objection, and hear his defense ? 

2d. When a member of the Lodge has interposed an 
objection, stating the cause, and the Lodge, upon the 
report of its committee, has decided that it is not " a 
valid and Masonic one," has the same member, or another, 
the right to interpose the same objection a second time, 
or any objection for the same cause ? 

<8d. When an objection has been decided by the Lodge 
not to be "a valid and Masonic one," is it the duty of the 
Master to proceed to confer the remaining degree or 
degrees whenever the candidate exhibits suitable pro- 
ficiency ? 

I report to you my decisions upon these questions, 
that you may take such action upon them as shall seem 
just, and in accordance with the spirit of the law, so 
that the Craft may be advised of the rights of all par- 
ties interested in like cases which may arise hereafter. 

1st. The committee is appointed to hear the testimony 
that may be adduced, and to inquire into, determine, 
and report the facts to the Lodge for its advisement, 
that it may wisely determine whether or not the objec- 
tion is well founded ; or, in the language of the clause, 
whether or not the cause is a valid and Masonic one. 
That the committee may arrive at the facts, it must hear 



108 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

all the testimony, as well for the defense as the prosecu- 
tion. The candidate is a Mason, and, before conviction, 
should be heard — should have his day in court. In many 
cases he should therefore be informed of the objection 
made against him, and should be heard in his defense. 

2d. When a member of the Lodge has objected to the 
advancement of a candidate, stating the cause of objec- 
tion, and the cause of objection has been inquired into, 
and decided by the Lodge not to be " a valid and Masonic 
one," it is not competent for the same, or another mem- 
ber, to interpose a second objection for the same cause, 
except on the ground of newly-discovered and material 
evidence, or for acts subsequently committed. In the 
first instance, it is the right of every member to object, 
without stating the cause, if he so choose ; but if he, or 
another, desires to interpose a second objection, he must 
state the grounds on which it is based, and it is for the 
Lodge to determine whether it will or should consider 
the second objection. 

3d. When the Lodge has decided that the objection is 
not sustained, or that the cause is not a valid and Masonic 
one, and the candidate has attained suitable proficiency, 
it is his right to ask to receive the remaining degrees, 
and it is the duty of the Master to confer them. He has 
promised " to submit to the awards of his brethren, when 
convened, in every case consistent with the constitutions 
of the Order." When the Lodge has decided that the 
candidate is worthy, and he presents himself, ready to 
approve his proficiency, the Master may not refuse to 
confer the remaining degrees, and thus overrule the 
action of his Lodge. — Decisions of Grand Master Belcher, 
p. 13, 1863. 

In regard to the first decision of the Grand Master, 
your committee conceive that it is strictly in accordance 
with the common-sense doctrine that there is a remedy 
for every wrong. It must be borne in mind always that 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 109 

under the original organization of the Fraternity, the 
Entered Apprentices formed the great body of Masons ; 
and that only in modern times have they been placed in 
their present position in regard to the body of the Fra- 
ternity. So few rights are left to them that not only 
charity, but justice, demands that those remaining rights 
receive a liberal construction. No man should be con- 
demned without a hearing. This would virtually be 
done if we decide that the brother whose advancement 
is objected to, can have no knowledge of the objection 
and no opportunity of combating it ; and your commit- 
tee apprehend that " our law condemns no man before it 
hears what he says." They, therefore, recommend that 
the decision of the Grand Master, made in these words : 
" In many cases, therefore, he should be informed of the 
objection against him and be heard in his defense" — 
be and the same is hereby approved. 

Upon the second decision, your committee believe that 
the rule — that a man shall not be twice placed in jeop- 
ardy for the same offense — is entirely applicable to Ma- 
sonic jurisprudence. If a committee, appointed for the 
purpose, has properly attended to its duty, has inves- 
tigated the objection made against a brother's advance- 
ment, has reported the objection as " not a valid and 
Masonic one," and the Lodge has adopted the report, and 
thus, by a two-third vote, has ratified the finding of the 
committee, then the brother who has made the objection, 
and the minority, acting with him, should yield their 
opinion. It amounts, in the opinion of your committee, 
to factious opposition on the part of any brother thus to 
set up his own view against so large a majority of his 
brethren ; and, when he has been decided against, to 
renew the very same objection. Your committee there- 
fore recommend the approval of the second decision of 
the Grand Master, given in these words : " It is not com- 
petent for the same or another member to interpose a 
second objection for the same cause, except on the 



110 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

ground of newly-discovered and material evidence, or for 
acts subsequently committed." 

On the third decision, which relates to the duty of the 
Master of a Lodge upon the decision of an objection to 
advancement, your committee say that, ordinarily, the 
Master of the Craft is the proper one to judge of the fit- 
ness of the materials of which his building is to be 
composed. But, when the Lodge has decided that the 
applicant is worthy, and the required proficienc}^ has 
been attained, the Master should, if not absolutely con- 
trary to his obligations, proceed to confer the next 
degree. Your committee would take away no right 
from the Master of a Lodge which is his by ancient 
usage, conferred for the best good of the Craft. They 
would give no countenance to the spirit of innovation so 
prevalent in our free country. They would not relieve 
the Master from any respoiiisibility which he of right 
should assume. He should not rule his Lodge in a 
haughty or arbitrary manner, but should, when proper — 
that is, when no harm can accrue to the Craft there- 
from — yield to the decision of his brethren when consti- 
tutionally expressed. They therefore recommend the 
approval of the Grand Master's third decision. — Commit- 
tee on Jurisprudence^ p. 110, 1863. 

"When a brother has been initiated, has remained 
upon the roll of a Lodge as an Entered Apprentice over 
two years, and has been dropped from the roll under 
General Regulation No. 12, what action is necessary on 
the part of the Lodge to authorize the conferring of the 
other degrees upon him ? " respectfully report as follows : 

Where a Lodge has balloted for all three degrees at 
the same time, if no objection is made, as provided in the 
Constitution, nothing is necessary but to require pro- 
ficiency. 

Where a Lodge ballots separately for each degree, a 
clear ballot and proof of proficiency only are necessary. 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. Ill 

The object of the 12th Regulation w?.s not to alter the 
status in a Lodge of persons who had been initiated or 
passed, but simply to prevent cumbering the rolls annu- 
ally returned to the Grand Lodge with the names of 
those who, for two years or more, had remained Entered 
Apprentices or Fellow-Crafts. — Committee on JiLrisioru- 
dence, pp. 385-6, 1862. 

See Powers and Duties of Masters of Lodges, p. 95. 
Candidates from other Jurisdictions, p. 105. 
Conferring Degrees and Proficiency, p. 111. 
Balloting, p. 99. 
Rejected Candidates, p. 112. 
Sec. 1, Ai't. I, Part II, Constitution. 
Art. 3, Part III, Constitution. 
General Regulation, No. 12. 



CONFERRING DEGREES AND PROFICIENCY. 

Some of the Lodges are inclined to manifest too great 
haste in conferring the several degrees, as, in one instance 
in particular, a candidate was passed one night and raised 
on the next. Though our regulations fix no period of 
time as necessary to elapse between the conferring of 
the several degrees — requiring only absolute proficiency 
in that last received before another shall be conferred — 
it is certain that more time than a single day ought to be 
devoted to that reflection and deliberation so essential to 
a proper understanding of the sublime principles of our 
Order ; and he who too hastily passes through our solemn 
ceremonies is ill prepared to attach to them that dignity 
and importance which their moral precepts demand. 
When Lodges are about to pass upon the proficiency of 
candidates, let them remember how important it is, both 
to the Fraternity and the applicants, that the examination 
be most thorough, and the evidences of a knowledge of 
that which has gone before, absolute and complete. — 
Committee on Charters, p. 363, 1862. 

See Balloting, p. 99. 



112 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 



REJECTED CANDIDATES. 

I therefore decided that an objection made to the initia- 
tion of one who had been elected to receive the degrees 
of Masonry in a Lodge was, unless withdrawn, equivalent 
to a rejection, and should be so reported by the Secre- 
tary to the Grand Secretary ; and that the party so 
rejected might, at any time after one year, again petition 
that or another Lodge, as in cases of rejections. — Grand 
Master Belcher^ p. 13, 1865 ; approved by the Grand Lodge, 
see p. 98, 1865. 

When, after initiation, but before passing or raising, 
an objection has been made, and has been, by proper 
proceedings, declared by the Lodge to be a " valid and 
Masonic objection," what is the effect of the objection so 
declared to be " valid and Masonic ? " Is it a rejection 
for the remaining degree or degrees, or a suspension ; 
and if a rejection, when and how can the rejected candi- 
date again apply for advancement? 

In my judgment it is not a suspension from the rights 
and privileges which he has acquired as an Entered 
Apprentice or a Fellow-Craft — for of these he can only 
be deprived by a trial, in the form prescribed by our law 
and by the judgment of his peers — but is a rejection ; 
and the satne rule should apply ae in cases where a sep- 
arate ballot is required for each degree and one is rejected 
for the second or third degree. Considering it a rejec- 
tion, I was yet in doubt what course should be pursued ; 
whether he must wait a full year before making applica- 
tion again, and whether his application should be made 
by simply presenting himself to the Lodge as an Appren- 
tice or Fellow- Craft, well skilled and proficient in all the 
work and learning of his degree, and again asking simply 
to be advanced ; or, whether his petition must be pre- 
sented to the Lodge in form, and must take the course of 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 113 

otlier petitions for degrees or membership. In the case 
presented, I decided that the objection sustained was in 
effect a rejection for the remaining degrees ; that the 
party so rejected must wait twelve months, and then, if 
he desired to proceed, he must petition his Lodge anew ; 
and that his petition must take the usual course. In any 
view of the case he was entitled to that, if no more. — 
Decision of Grand blaster Belcher, p. 13, 1865. 

Your committee recommend the approval of the decis- 
ion — that the candidate may apply to that Lodge, or any 
other within whose jurisdiction he may be, at the expira- 
tion of twelve months, as though he had been rejected 
by ballot. — Committee on Jurisprudence, p. 99, 1865. 

See Balloting, p. 99. 

Powers and Duties of Masters of Lodges, p. 95. 
Withdrawing Petition before Ballot, p. 101. 
Sec. 1, Art. I. Part II. Constitution. 



MEMBERSHIP. 



See Affiliation, p. 114, 
Residence, p. 116. 
Art. 1, Part V, Constitution. 
General Regulation, No. 4. 



HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. 

A Subordinate Lodge may, for good reasons of its own, 
release a member from the requirements which impose 
upon him active duties and relieve him from contribu- 
tions — say for such reasons as the Virginia Committee 
give ; but it can not relieve itself from its own responsi- 
bility, assumed in bearing his name on the roll. The 
Lodge thus expressing toward a cherished brother — its 
member — the estimation in Avhich he is held, may call 

15 



114 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

that act by any name it may select, whether honorary or 
not, but your committee certainly think there is nothing 
in this jurisdiction which justifies such a Masonic title ; 
and we do not know outside of it where the custom 
legitimately originated, nor do we approve of it. — Com- 
mittee on Jtcrisprudence, p. 376, 1862. 



AFFILIATION. 

A Mason may make application for affiliation as often 
as it may please him so to do. The rejection of his peti- 
tion for that purpose by a Lodge, simply implies that that 
particular Masonic family, or some one or more of its 
members, has objection to the immediate association : but 
it does not prevent him from applying for membership 
to any other Lodge, or to the same one, at any time 
thereafter. — Grand Master Curtis, p. 381, 1860. 

See Residence, p. 116. 

Fees, Dues, and Assessments, p. 122. 
Withdrawing Petition before Ballot, p. 101. 
Sec. 2, Art. Ill, Part III, Constitution. 
General Regulation, No. 4. 
General Regulation, No. 16. 



NON-AFFILIATED MASONS. 

" Regulation 16. Non-affiliated Masons, who are sus- 
pended by operation of Sec. 1, Art. II, Part Y, of the 
Constitution, if they desire to restore themselves by 
affiliation, shall pay a sum equivalent to six months' dues, 
in addition to the affiliation fee required by the by-laws 
of the Lodge to which they may apply ; or, if they desire 
to restore themselves by contribution, they shall pay a 
sum equivalent to the amount of the regular dues of the 
Lodge within whose jurisdiction they reside, during the 
whole period of such residence : unless sickness or inabil- 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 115 

it}^ to pay be shown as the reason for such non-affiliation 
or non-payment." — p. 410, 1866. 

Your committee, to whom was referred the question 
of Bro. Stanley as to the right of a so-called " contribut- 
ing member" to vote on any and all occasions, report that 
they suppose the question refers to those Masons who, 
though non-affiliated, are nevertheless willing to, and do, 
contribute a sum equal to the monthly dues required of 
the members of the Lodge within whose jurisdiction 
they reside, and thus avoid suspension under our law. 
If this supposition be correct, the committee are at a loss 
to know how it could be imagined that one so situated 
was entitled to a vote at all ; and they simply have to say 
— what there should be little need of saying — that an un- 
affiliated contributor is not entitled to a vote on any occa- 
sion whatever. — Committee on Jicrisprudence, p. 110, 1865. 

The position occupied by non-affiliated Masons in this 
State is plainly defined in the Constitution. In Sec. 1, 
Art. II, Part Y, of that instrument it is declared, that 
" it is the duty of every Master Mason to be a member 
of some Lodge ; and every one who, having resided six 
months within the jurisdiction of a Lodge, shall refuse 
or neglect to make application so to be, or who shall not 
have regularly contributed to such Lodge an amount 
equivalent to its regular dues, while able so to do, shall 
be deemed unworthy of Masonic consideration, and shall 
not be entitled to, or be the recipient of, any of the 
rights, privileges, or charities of the Order." This is 
literally the language of suspension ; and, under this law, 
every non-affiliated Mason, coming within its purview, is 
absolutely suspended, until by compliance with either of 
the alternatives which it provides, he shall choose to free 
himself from the disability. — Decision of Grand Master 
Curtis, p. 381, 1860. 

See Residence, p. 116. 

General Regulation, No. 16. 



116 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 



RESIDENCE. 

It is not necessary, though it would be very proper, 
that every Mason should apply for affiliation to the Lodge 
nearest his place of residence. It is the right of a Master 
Mason to affiliate where he may choose, whether at the 
place nearest his residence or not, for our Constitution 
evidently conveys this meaning in the words : " It is the 
duty of every Master Mason to be a member of some 
Lodge. — Committee on Jurisprudence, p. 368, 1862. 

It is not necessary that a Mason should be a member 
of the Lodge nearest his place of residence. He may 
hold membership, or apply for it, wherever it shall please 
him. It is certainly better that he should be a member 
of the Lodge within whose jurisdiction he resides, but I 
know of no law which requires it ; and to be a mem- 
ber, in good standing, in any regular Lodge, is to be in 
good standing everywhere. — Decision by Grand Master 
N. Greene Curtis, p. 381, 1860. 

See Sec. 2, Art. Ill, Part III, Constitution. 



DEMISSION. 

That when a member of a Lodge has paid his dues, 
and at a stated meeting announced his intention to with- 
draw his membership, his membership ceases ; and he 
can become a member of that Lodge only by petition 
and ballot, as in the case of any other non-affiliated 
Mason. It is not competent for the Lodge by vote to 
reinstate him. — Grand Master Belcher, p. 251, 1864. 

The Grand Master, in his Address, lays before the 
G-rand Lodge the following decision on a point of Masonic 
law : 

"When a member of a Lodge has paid his dues, and. 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 117 

at a stated meeting, announces his intention to withdraw 
from membership, his membership ceases, and he can 
become a member again only by petition and ballot as 
any other non-affiliated Mason. It is not competent for 
his Lodge by vote to reinstate him." 

The said decision was referred, among other things, to 
the Committee on Jurisprudence, who have considered 
the same and now report a recommendation that the 
decision of the Grand Master be approved. — Committee 
on Jurisprudence^ p. 354, 1864. 

" The Master, or any other officer of a Lodge, may 
withdraw therefrom in the same manner as any other 
member. Whatever may be the rule elsewhere, our law 
makes no distinction." — Committee on Jurisprudence^ p. 
365, 1864. 

See Sec. 4, Art. I, Part V, Constitution. 



RIGHT OF VISIT. 

"A difference of opinion exists as to the proper con- 
struction of our fourth General Regulation, and, that its 
true intent may be defined, the following is submitted : 
A. B. has resided in this State several years. A little 
less than a year ago he visited his former home in Maine, 
and while there received the degrees of Masonry. Upon 
his return to California he proposed to visit a Lodge, 
but the- Master refused to admit him. He afterwards 
offered to visit another Lodge, and was admitted. On 
again applying to visit the first-named Lodge, should the 
Master admit him upon the avouchment of a brother who 
had sat with him in a regular Lodge ? Which Master was 
right — the one who refused, or the one who permitted 
his admission ? Would it affect the case if the applicant 
stated that when he left this State he had no intention 
to return, but afterward changed his mind ? Should he 



118 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

apply for affiliation, the regulation is sufficiently clear; 
but does it deny him the right to visit ? " 

The regulation referred to has no application to the 
right of visit. That right, so called, is not, as is gener- 
ally supposed, absolute and indefeasible. The Master of 
a Lodge is under obligation to preserve harmony among 
his craftsmen. He represents the wise Master-builder 
who laid the foundations of our speculative science, and 
he must see that the guards and defenses of his Lodge 
are of such character that nothing be suffered to pass or 
repass them that might tend to disturb the peace of his 
workmen. To this end he must be clothed with author- 
ity to say who, of those hailing from other Lodges, shall 
visit his. In regard to the brother whose case is men- 
tioned in the question under consideration, we think the 
fact of his intention to remain permanently out of the 
State does affect the action of the regulation. Prima 
facie an offense may have been committed, but often an 
apparent wrong ceases to be rightly so considered when 
the intention is taken into account. It may Avell occur 
that one, for several years a resident of this State, may 
return to the home of his youth, intending to reside per- 
manently among the associations of his earlier days ; but, 
finding that the attachments formed in the new home are 
stronger than those severed in the past, determines to 
return there, ere they too, like the old ones, shall have 
become strange by long absence. If then, having in 
good faith intended to change his place of residence, he 
become a member of the Fraternity abroad, the regula- 
tion of this State should not operate against him upon 
his return. While we tenaciously adhere to and insist 
upon our jurisdictional rights, we should not enforce the 
regulation referred to, unless the violation of those rights 
is clear and pointed. Nothing is to be gained by a too 
strenuous and rigid interpretation of the law. 

We conclude, then, that if the brother's purpose in 
going to the Eastern States was to reside permanently 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 119 

and become a citizen, his simple change of purpose and 
return to this State within some short time, will not 
of itself bring him within the regulation of this Grand 
Lodge. We further conclude that, as the regulation 
does not apply to the matter of visit, and as the Master 
has control thereof, both Masters — the one who refused, 
and the one who permitted — were within the purview of 
their powers. — Committee on Jurisprudence^ p. 433, 1866. 

It appears that Alphonse Dennery, a native of France, 
but a resident of this jurisdiction, returned to his native 
country, and while there, received the degrees of Ma- 
sonry. He took his dimit and returned to this State, 
where he now seeks to affiliate, and the questions are 
asked : " Can he be affiliated ? " and " Can he visit ? " 

Under the fourth of our General Regulations he may 
affiliate, by paying the full amount charged by the Lodge 
to which he applies for conferring the degrees, less the 
sum paid for them to the Lodge in which he received 
them. 

We do not think he can visit until he has complied 
with the foregoing regulation, or has endeavored to do so 
in good faith. — Committee on Jurisprudence, p. 349, 1864. 

ec. 13, Art. Ill, Part III, Constitution. 



CHARITABLE RELIEF. 

Your committee are aw^are that Masonic authorities 
are somewhat contradictory upon this point ; but, upon a 
full consideration of the subject, they are of opinion that 
it would be an unfortunate proposition to establish, that 
a Masonic Lodge, devoted, as it should be, to charitable 
objects and the assistance of the distressed, could Avith 
impunity suffer its members to want for the necessaries 
of life, and thus bring discredit upon the whole Frater- 
nity. — Committee on Grievances, p. C74, 1864. 



120 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Believing that, aside from actual necessary expenses, 
all the funds of a Lodge should be devoted to charitable 
uses. — Committee on By-Laws, p. 90, 1863. 



MASONIC FUNERALS AND EXPENSES. 

If a Mason forget his duty to G-od, his fellow, and him- 
self, and commit suicide, shall he or may he be buried by 
his Lodge with Masonic honors ? Several cases have oc- 
curred, as I am informed, in which suicides have been so 
buried. It should not always be so. When a Mason has 
unfortunately been deprived of that reason which God 
has given him to enable him to distinguish between right 
and wrong, and, being actually demented, deprives him- 
self of life, I see no reason why he should not be interred 
with the usual Masonic honors and ceremonials. An in- 
sane man cannot commit a crime, and it would be an utter 
forgetfulness of that charity which is the brightest jew^el 
of the Craft, to refuse the Masonic rite of burial, when de- 
sired by his relatives or friends, to one who had only been 
unfortunate. Not so, however, with one who wittingly, 
or in consequence of intemperate habits, destroys the life 
which Heaven has given him for useful and beneficent 
purposes. We would throw the mantle of charity over the 
faults of an erring brother, dead or living, but we should 
not lightly overlook his crimes. By all law, human and 
divine, he who takes his own life is as guilty as he who 
takes the life of another. Before God and man he is 
guilty, and it is not fitting that we, as a society, should 
hold ourselves out to the world as the excusers of such 
crime. — Grand Master Belcher, p. 252, 1864. 

Li the matter of the burial, with Masonic honors, of 
Masons who commit suicide, referred to in the Address 
of the Grand Master, the Committee on Jurisprudence 
report as follows : 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 121 

It is difficult to conceive that any man in his right mind 
could be guilty of destroying his own life. It is probably 
true that one who commits suicide has previously become, 
by some means, demented. Self-preservation is the first 
law of nature. A very high authority declares that " no 
man ever yet hated his own flesh." This being true, a 
man must in some way have lost the right use of his men- 
tal powers before he can lift a hand against his own life. 
Reason may be dethroned, either by the visitations of 
God, or by indulgence in licentious and vicious habits. 
If the hand of God has been laid upon a brother, recall- 
ing the reason which He had given, and, while thus de- 
mented, he shall take his life, we think he may properly 
receive the honors paid by our Order to the dead. But 
if, forgetting the first perfect point of his entrance and 
the virtue by which it is exemplified, and which it is 
designed to enforce ; if, neglecting his solemn obligations 
and that prudence which should characterize every 
brother in his conduct in the Lodge and when abroad 
in the world, he, by indulgence in drink or other habits 
which are calculated to enervate the mind, loses his rea- 
son, and, Avhile tlms out of his mind, destroys his own 
life, we think he is not entitled to and should not receive 
the burial rites of the Order. 

We therefore recommend that the sentiments of the 
Grand Master's Address on this subject be approved. — 
p. 338, 1864. 

It is asked whether, when a Mason dies, he is entitled 
to Masonic burial ; and if so, whether a single individual 
must bear the expense ? A deceased sojourning brother, 
who was in good standing, is certainly entitled to Masonic 
burial ; and if an individual renders that last service, he 
may well ask that his brethren and neighbors help him 
to bear the burden, if so it appears to him to be. But 
he can scarcely demand this as a right. He has done his 
duty, and they ought to be willing to assist him ; but 

16 



122 THE CALIFOENIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

let liim not detract from the merit of his charity by his 
complainings. God loveth a cheerful giver. — Committee 
on Jurisprudence, p.SSjlSGl. 

See Suspensions, Expulsions, and Restorations, p. 131. 
General Regulation, No. 1. 



FEES, DUES, AND ASSESSMENTS. 

Your committee to whom was referred the following 
question : '' Has the M.'.W.*. Grand Master authority to 
prevent individual Masons or Lodges from corresponding 
with each other on subjects relating to the levy of assess- 
ments upon subordinate Lodges ? " — have had the same 
under consideration, and are of the opinion that the 
Grand Master has no authority to prevent any proper 
correspondence on such subjects. — Special Committee, p. 
97, 1865. 

Your committee are of opinion that during the period 
of suspension for unmasonic conduct, the dues of a 
brother should cease. He is under a disability from 
which he cannot, of his own will, free himself. When 
suspended simply for non-payment of dues, he is in a 
position from which he may, by his own act, at any time 
relieve himself, and he should pay his dues accordingly. 
But while he is under suspension for unmasonic conduct^ 
he is cut off entirely from all privileges, and can only be 
restored by an act of his Lodge, or of the Grand Lodge. 
They answer, then, that a Mason, suspended for non- 
payment of dues, and subsequently suspended for unma- 
sonic conduct, should be charged dues only during the 
period when he was under suspension for non-payment 
thereof. — Committee on Jurisprudence, p. 100, 1865. 

Your committee, to Avhom was referred the inquiry as 
to what is required in a notice to those in arrears. for 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 123 

dues, report tliat the question involves the construction 
of the hinguage of Sec. 9, Art. Ill, Part III, of the Con- 
stitution. The wording of the law is such as evidently 
to make it the duty of the Secretary to give the notice, 
without any order from the Master or the Lodge to that 
effect ; and by the fourth subdivision of Sec. 1, Art. V, 
Part IV, of the Constitution, he is required to affix the 
seal of the Lodge to all papers issued by authority of 
the Lodge, or in obedience to the requirements of the 
Constitution and Regulations of the Grand Lodge. The 
notice to members in arrears for dues, is made in obe- 
dience to the Constitution, and must have the seal of the 
Lodge diXid.c\\Qdi.— Committee on Jurisprudence^ p. 110, 1865. 

In reply to Bro. Blake, it is the opinion of the commit- 
tee that it is not necessary or right to require a member 
who withdraws, and afterward desires to affiliate again 
with the same Lodge, to pay dues during the time he 
was not a member, in order to affiliate. — Committee on 
Jurisprudence, p. 368, 1862. 

See Affiliation, p. 114. 

Non-affiliated Masons, p. 114. 

Suspension for Non-payment of Dues, p. 123. 

Representative Fund. p. 137. 

Art. VIII, Part I, Constitution. 

General Regulation, No. 16. 



SUSPENSION FOR NON-PAYMENT OP DUES. 

"Has a subordinate Lodge the right, under Sec. 9, 
Art. Ill, Part III, of the Constitution, to restore a Mason 
laboring under suspension for non-payment of dues, in 
any other manner than th^t provided for in the funda- 
mental law — that is, by paying all arrearages due — in 
other words, can a Lodge remit dues until a brother is 
restored ? " — beg leave to report as follows : 

The proposition is susceptible of division into two 



124 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. ' 

branches — the question of obedience to laws, and the 
question of construction of laws. In answer to the first, 
it is the opinion of the committee that a subordinate 
Lodge can do nothing rightfully, either in respect to the 
restoration of a Mason laboring under suspension for non- 
payment of dues, or any other matter, in any way other 
than that provided in the fundamental law. In answer 
to the second, it is the opinion of the committee that the 
fundamental laws of Masonry respecting its morality 
should be construed strict^, but always with charity ; 
in respect to its government, with liberality, and in the 
true spirit of the enactments and customs. To say that 
a Lodge cannot remit a portion or all of the arrearages, 
for good and satisfactory reasons, of a member suspended 
for non-payment of dues, in order that he may be restored, 
appears to us like the construction which Shylock would 
have put upon his bond. We do not believe that such 
a spirit did or could exist in the Masonic mind of the 
framers of our fundamental law ; and we are therefore of 
the opinion that a subordinate Lodge, for good cause, in 
the exercise of a discreet judgment, under the section 
referred to, may remit dues in favor of a member sus- 
pended for non-payment of dues, in order to restore him. 
— Committee on Jurisprudence, p. 356, 1862. 

Suspension for non-payment of dues is absolute sus- 
pemion. The disabilities which it involves under our 
laws, are the same as if the penalty had been incurred 
by unmasonic conduct. In fact, such is really the mis- 
demeanor which has induced the punishment, as a viola- 
tion of the by-laws of a Lodge (all which require the pay- 
ment of certain quarterly or monthly dues), is eminently 
unmasonic. The only difference which our Constitu- 
tion makes between suspension for (so-called) unmasonic 
conduct, and suspension for non-payment of dues, is, that 
in the first case, it requires the votes of two-thirds of the 
Lodge of which the delinquent was a member, to effect 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 125 

his restoration, while in the second, he may restore him- 
self by payment of his arrearages. — Grand Master Curtis^ 
p. 38i, 1860. 

See Non-affiliated Masons, p. 114. 

Fees, Dues, and Assessments, p. 122. 
Suspensions, Expulsions, and Restorations, p. 131. 
Sec. 9, Art. Ill, Part III, Constitution. 
Sec. 4, Art. II, Part V, Constitution. 
General Regulation, No. 11. 



DROPPING NAMES FROM THE ROLL. 

The object of the 12th Regulation was not to alter the 
status in a Lodge of persons who had been initiated or 
passed, but simply to prevent cumbering the rolls annu- 
ally returned to the Grand Lodge with the names of 
those w^ho, for two years or more, had remained Entered 
Apprentices or Fellow-Crafts. — Committee on JurispTU- 
dence, pp. 385-6, 1862. 

Besolved, That the names of Entered Apprentices and 
Fellow-Crafts shall be returned to the Grand Lodge for 
two years only, and be thereafter dropped from the roll. 
— Committee on Jurisprudence^ p. 369, 1860. 

See Admission and Advancement of Candidates, p. 106. 
General Regulation, No. 12. 



NOTIFICATIONS AND SUMMONSES. 

Your committee, to whom w^as referred the inquiry as 
to what is required in a notice to those in arrears for 
dues, report that the question involves the construction 
of the language of Sec. 9, Art. Ill, Part III, of the Con- 
stitution. The wording of the law is such as evidently 
to make it the duty of the Secretary to give the notice, 
without any order from the Master or the Lodge to that 



126 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

effect ; and by the fourth subdivision of Sec. 1, Art. Y, 
Part IV, of the Constitution, he is required to afl&x the 
seal of the Lodge to all papers issued by authority of the 
Lodge, or in obedience to the requirements of the Con- 
stitution and Regulations of the Grand Lodge. The no- 
tice to members in arrears for dues, is made in obedience 
to the Constitution, and must have the seal of the Lodge 
attached. — Committee on Jurisprudence^ p. 110, 1865. 

Your committee to whom was referred the resolution 
offered by Bro. Alex. G. Abell, defining what shall be 
deemed due notification in cities and towns where daily 
newspapers are printed, have given the same careful 
consideration, and respectfully report that, in their judg- 
ment, the trial of a brother upon charges for unmasonic 
conduct is a matter of such serious moment to the Craft 
that every thing connected with it should be done 
"decently and in order," and that every member of the 
Lodge should be in fact notified of the time when the 
Commissioners are to be elected. There is no necessity 
for haste in such a matter, and it is better that one who 
is unjustly accused should suffer somewhat from the law's 
delay than that we should seem to treat the matter of 
trials lightly, or neglect any precaution necessary to en- 
sure to every brother an opportunity to be present upon 
an occasion of so much importance. 

In cities and large towns, although the membership of 
the Lodges may be extensive, yet all reside within a 
convenient distance. One of the duties of the Tyler of 
a Lodge is to serve notices, as it is one of the duties of 
the Secretary to prepare them ; and your committee 
deem it much more important that every member of the 
Lodge should be personally notified, than that the Secre- 
tary and Tyler, who, alone of the officers, receive com- 
pensation for their services, should be saved a little 
labor. It is true, probably, that a notification published 
in one or more daily papers of San Francisco, or any 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 127 

other city, would be a notification in fact to a consider- 
able number of the members of any Lodge there ; but it 
is also true that not every man who reads the papers 
reads the general advertisements, or even the special 
notices, and that, at least, some of the members would 
thus fail to be notified. It is the right of the accused, 
and the duty of the Lodge, to have every thing connected 
with the trial conducted in such manner as w^ill best 
insure a fair and impartial result : and in order to secure 
this, the most important step is the election of Commis- 
sioners. 

Your committee think that every member of the 
Lodge should at least have an opportunity to partici- 
pate in such election ; and, being of the opinion that a 
notification by advertisement, in the manner proposed 
in the resolution referred to them, would not be the best 
method of insuring that desirable result, they return 
the resolution with the recommendation that it be not 
adopted. — Committee on Jurisprudence, p. 57, 1861. 

The Constitution of this Grand Lodge provides that, 
upon the presentation of charges, it shall be the duty of 
the Master, " by due notification,^^ to call a special meet- 
ing of his Lodge for the election of Commissioners. A 
^^ notification'^ is defined by the Constitution to be " a call 
issued by the Secretary, by order of the Lodge or Mas- 
ter, or by other competent authority, as hereinbefore 
provided, to attend for some specific purpose at the time 
and place therein indicated." We find that a " summons^' 
is defined by the Constitution to be " an imperative order 
issued by the Master or by other competent authority, 
as hereinbefore provided, to appear at such time and 
place as may therein be designated." Stripping these 
two definitions of all verbiage unnecessary to a determi- 
nation of the point now under consideration, we find 
that a notification is " a call issued by the Secretary to 
attend at the time and place therein indicated ; " wdiile 



128 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

a summons is " an imperative order issued by the Master 
to appear at said time and place, as may therein be des- 
ignated." Nothing whatever is said as to the mode of 
service of either, but as the definition of the two are 
so very similar, varying only sufficiently to indicate to 
the brethren served the difference between the two, we 
think there is no doubt but that a notification and a 
summons should be served in a similar manner ; for if 
this was not intended, or if any mode of notification 
could be adopted which a Lodge might see proper to 
select, why did this Grand Lodge define w^hat a notifica- 
tion is ? We are therefore of the opinion that a notifica- 
tion should be served in the same manner as a summons. 
Now, would any one suppose for a moment, that the 
announcement of the Master at a stated meeting, that all 
the members of the Lodge were summoned to appear at 
a certain time, would be a service of the summons upon 
all the members of the Lodge, or would the publication 
of a summons in the newspapers be so regarded? Un- 
questionably not. How then could such announcement 
or publication be considered due notification ? In the 
opinion of your committee it cannot be, as this Grand 
Lodge has decided that in a case of charges preferred, it 
is the duty of the Master to see that every member of his 
Lodge, who can possibly be notified of the meeting, is no- 
tified in due season.— (7omm^^fee on Grievances^ p. 364, 1860. 

See Suspensions, Expulsions, and Restorations, p. 131. 
Fees, Dues, and Assessments, p. 122. 
Part VI. Constitution. 
Art. II, Part VII, Constitution. 
General Regulation, No. 7. 



WITNESSES, TESTIMONY, AND TRIALS. 

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Grand Lodge, 
the language of Sec. 3, Art. lY, Part lY, of the Consti- 
tution, should not be so construed as to prevent the 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 129 

accuser, any more than tlie accused, from employing a 
brother in good standing to assist him at a trial. — p. Ill, 
1861. 

See p. 87, 1863, Relative to Trials, ex parte. 

Besolved, That the Committee on Grievances prepare 
a form of transcript of proceedings on trial in subordi- 
nate Lodges, and forward the same, when prepared, to 
the Grand Secretary, who shall cause the same to be 
printed and distributed to the various Lodges ; and that 
said Lodges be and they are hereby required, as far as 
possible, to adhere to said form in returning the record 
of proceedings on trials. — p. 108, 1863. 

In response to Bro. Wiggin, it is the opinion of the 
committee, that it certainly is the right of a brother 
upon trial for unmasonic conduct, to make a statement 
before the Commission assembled to try him ; and that 
such statement should have its weight before the Com- 
mission — though not as great as that of a disinterested 
brother — and should form part of the record. The con- 
stitutional words requiring the Master to "summon the 
accused to appear and answer,^^ should be construed dif- 
ferently in Masonry from what it is in the civil courts, for 
Masonic law should receive a more liberal construction. 
— Committee on Jurisprudence^ p. 367, 1862. 

A Fellow-Craft was admitted to testify upon his honor 
as a Mason ; this was wrong, as none but Master Masons 
should be permitted so to testify — all others should be 
sworn. — Committee on Grievances^ p. 364, 1860. 

In cases of trial, a majority of the Commissioners, 
elected or appointed, may proceed with the business 
committed to them. The Constitution does not say thus 
much in terms, but it does by inference, as it declares 
that " the judgment of a majority of the Commissioners 
shall be taken as the decision of the whole." To rule 

17 



130 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

otherwise would be to defeat the justice sought for in 
the regulations upon this subject, as it would probably 
not often happen that all the Commissioners named 
w^ould be in attendance during the whole period given 
for a trial under our Constitution. The vote upon the 
finding and the sentence should be by ballot, and a 
majority of all the Commissioners is requisite for judg- 
ment. — Decision of Grand Master Curtis, p. 381, 1860. 

See Commissioners and their Reports, p. 130, 

Admission and Advancement of Candidates, p. 106. 
Appeals, p. 130. 
• Suspensions, Expulsions, and Restorations, p. 131. 
Notifications and Summonses, p. 125. 
Part VI, Constitution. 



APPEALS. 

In the matter as to who may take an appeal from the 
judgment of a Commission for trial, they are of opinion 
that the language of the law excludes every one save 
the accuser and the accused. By operation of law the 
judgment of a majority of the Commissioners becomes 
the judgment of the Lodge ; and it was never yet heard 
that a court rendering judgment in a case might turn 
about and appeal to a higher court, from its own judg- 
ment. They recommend the approval of the action of 
the Grand Master in ordering the judgment in the case 
to which he refers to be carried into effect. — Committee 
on Jurisprudence, p. 99, 1865. 

See Powers of a Grand Master, p. 95. 
Part VI, Constitution. 



COMMISSIONERS AND THEIR REPORTS. 

Your committee having considered the question pre- 
sented by Bro. Crane, respectfully report that the law 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 131 

to which reference is made in the question, requires the 
Secretary " to keep a full and correct record of the pro- 
ceedings and the judgment " of the Commissions for trial, 
and that this requirement can only be met by his keep- 
ing a record of all the testimony in the case ; not a mere 
abstract, but the testimony of each witness in full, so 
that if appeal be had to this G-rand Body, its committees 
may have the whole case before them. Witnesses, not 
Masons, testify before the Commission in the form of 
deposition, taken before some officer entitled to adminis- 
ter oaths ; and in order that the witnesses w^ho are Ma- 
sons may stand on the same footing, their testimony must 
be written out in full by the Secretary. — Committee on 
Jurisprudence^ p. 109, 1865. 

" In cases of trial, when one or more of the Commis- 
sioners is absent, can a quorum proceed to the trial of 
the case and render judgment, or must the Master ap- 
point to fill vacancies ? " 

It has been more than once decided already, that a 
quorum of the Commissioners may proceed to trial and 
judgment, but that, in such case, the judgment must be 
that of a majority of all the Commissioners elected, to 
wit : if the number of the Commissioners be seven, four 
may try the case — but all four must concur in the judg- 
ment. No power is anywhere conferred upon the Master 
to appoint members to fill vacancies. — Committee on Juris- 
prudence^ p. 110, 1865. 

See Witnesses, Testimony, and Trials, p. 128. 
Part VI, Constitution. 



SUSPENSIONS, EXPULSIONS, AND RESTORATIONS. 

Resolved, That whenever it is the intention of a person, 
who has been expelled from the rights and privileges of 
Masonry, to petition the Grand Lodge for restoration, it 



132 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

shall be his duty to notify the Lodge Avhich expelled him 
of such intention, at least sixty days before the meeting 
of the Grand Lodge, accompanying said notice Avith a 
copy of his intended petition ; and before said petition 
shall be considered by the Grand Lodge, proof shall be 
made of the giving of said notice. — General Begulation, 
No. 20, p. 419, 1866. 

Your committee are aware that, in reporting in favor 
of restoring the memorialist, they may appear to be 
somewhat running counter to the wishes of the subordi- 
nate Lodge to which the memorialist belongs, inasmuch 
as an application to restore him has there been refused, 
but they can well imagine how the Lodge could decline 
to reverse their former action and restore the applicant 
to membership therein, when they might not materially 
object to his restoration by the Grand Lodge, which 
would only give him the general privileges of a Mason. 
— Committee on Grievaiices, p. 93, 1865. 

In the matter of the effect of a reversal by the Grand 
Lodge of a judgment of suspension or expulsion, your 
committee agree with the Grand Master, that the accused 
is at once restored to the standing he had before charges 
Avere preferred. If this be not so, the appeal and the 
iudgment of reversal are simply solemn farces. The 
reversal, in terms, declares that the charges were untrue 
or unsupported by evidence, and the judgment founded 
thereon unwarranted, and of course, unjust. Its effect 
is to put the brother appealing in precisely the position 
he occupied before the charges were preferred. Bro'. 
Mackey, on this point, well says : " When a Lodge has 
wrongfully deprived a Mason of his membership by ex- 
pulsion from the Order, the Grand Lodge, on his appeal, 
if it shall find the party innocent, that wrong has been 
inflicted, that, by the sentence, the laws of the institu- 
tion as well as the rights of the individual have been 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 133 

violated, may, on his appeal, interpose and redress the 
wrong, not only by restoring him to his rights and privi- 
leges as a Mason, but also to membership in the Lodge. 
This, it seems to me, is the true principle, not only of 
Masonic law, but also of equity. If a brother be inno- 
cent, he must be restored to everything of which an 
unjust sentence had deprived him — to membership in 
his Lodge, as well as to the general rights of Masonry." 
— Committee on Jmnsprudence, p. 99, 1865. 

When a brother, w^ho has been suspended for non- 
payment of dues, pays up all his arrearages, he thereby 
becomes restored to all the former privileges enjoyed by 
him in his Lodge, and it is unnecessary that he should 
again go through the form of signing its by-laws. — Com- 
mittee on Grievances^ p. 373, 1864. 

Resolved, That when it is the intention of any Lodge to 
take measures to apply to the Grand Lodge for the res- 
toration of a Mason who has been expelled, it shall be 
the duty of the Master thereof to notify the members of 
his Lodge, as far as possible, of the time when such pro- 
posed action will be had ; and to cause to be spread upon 
the minutes of the meeting at which such action shall be 
had, the fact that such notification was duly given. — p. 
354, 1864. 

A suspended Mason, dying while still under sentence 
of suspension, cannot be restored by any action subse- 
quent to his death. — Committee on Jurisprudence, p. 93, 
1863. 

Question 1st. — Can a Lodge proceed to try a Master 
Mason, under suspension for non-payment of dues, for 
unmasonic conduct, without first restoring him ? 

Ansiver. — It can ; no matter what the cause of suspen- 
sion may have been, it is certainly within the power of a 
Lodge, having jurisdiction, to try a suspended Mason on 



134 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

charges of further mimasonic conduct, and to inflict such 
further punishment as it may deem proper. 

Question 2d. — Can a Lodge proceed to try, for further 
unmasonic conduct, a Mason suspended by itself, who, 
at the time charges are preferred against him, resides 
within the jurisdiction of another Lodge, although the 
offenses charged were committed while within the juris- 
diction of the Lodge first named ? 

Answer. — It can not ; the proper course would be to 
prefer the charges before the Lodge within whose juris- 
diction the delinquent actually resides, by which he can 
and should be tried. From the date of his suspension, 
whatever the cause thereof, his membership in that 
Lodge ceases, and residence elsewhere carries with it 
jurisdiction. — Committee on Jurisprudence, p. 76, 186L 

There is no better established custom in the Mason- 
ry of the United States, than that the Lodge (or the 
Grand Lodge under whose jurisdiction such Lodge ex- 
ists) which expels or suspends a Mason, should alone 
have the right to restore him. — Committee on Jurispru- 
dence,^. 373, 1860. 

See Powers and Duties of Masters of Lodges, p. 95. 
Suspension for Non-payment of Dues, p. 123. 
By-laws, p. 140. 
Non-affiliated Masons, p. 114. 
Fees, Dues, and Assessments, p. 122. 
Sec. 9. Art. Ill, Part III, Constitution. 
Sec. 4, Art. IV, Part III, Constitution. 
Sec. 5, Art. II, Part V, Constitution. 
Art. II, Part VI, Constitution. 
Art. II, Part VII, Constitution. 
General Regulation, No. 1. 
General Regulations, Nos. 17, 19, and 20. 



UNMASONIC CONDUCT. 

Your committee, to whom was referred the appeal of 
Bro from the action of St. John's Lodge, No. 37, 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 135 

in suspending him from all the rights and privileges of 
Masonry, have had the same under consideration, and 
report that the evidence does not sustain the specifica- 
tion on which the accused was found guilty and sus- 
pended. Though it does not show that the accused 
advised the candidate to withdraw his petition, as he 
was sure to be blackballed, it does show that he con- 
versed with the candidate as to the likelihood of his 
being blackballed. This certainly was very reprehensi- 
ble, and had the specification been in accordance with 
the facts, a little wholesome punishment in the case 
might have proved advantageous to the Craft generally, 
by the lesson it would teach of the necessity of abstain- 
ing from all conversation with a candidate as to the 
action upon his petition. — Committee on Grievances, p. 
102, 1865. 

The brother manifestly labored under a serious error 
when he considered that gambling was not a Masonic 
offense. A very slight examination of the ancient regu- 
lations of the Order, or a conversation with any intelli- 
gent Mason, would have apprised him that this offense 
is one strictly forbidden by Masonry, upon all moral and 
social grounds ; and is an evil in all its effects and conse- 
quences which cannot be too greatly deprecated. — p. 348, 
1864. 

See Witnesses, Testimony, and Trials, p. 128. 

Suspensions, Expulsions, and Restorations, p. 131. 



ORDINARY DEBTS. 

Should a Lodge entertain charges for unmasonic con- 
duct against a brother because, for any reason, he has 
neglected or refused to pay his debts, or has paid them 
in the depreciated currency of the country? 

My ow^n opinion has always been that the Lodge was 
not the proper place for the settlement of the business 



136 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

difficulties of its members, or the enforcement of the 
payment of debts ; and I have so decided in the cases 
presented. The civil government has instituted courts, 
and appointed judges, and authorized juries, for the ex- 
press purpose of determining and protecting the rights 
of citizens, and enforcing the proper remedies in cases 
of wrong. If I owe a brother a debt and refuse to pay 
him, he may very properly invoke the aid of the law to 
compel me to do that which I ought to have done with- 
out compulsion. Exceptional cases may occur, involving 
such breach of faith and turpitude of conduct that we 
ought to notice them, even if they had been carried by 
the parties to the proper tribunals for adjudication ; but 
they are the exceptions, not the rule. Masons should 
deal honestly with one another, and with all men, and 
should pay all they owe ; but it does not always follow 
that any special moral turpitude attaches to them because 
they sometimes fail to do this last ; and, however much 
we may disapprove the act of one who avails himself of 
the benefits of the laws, and pays debts, perhaps hon- 
estly due in gold, in legal tenders, I think we may prop- 
erly leave the aggrieved party to charge the blame, if 
any, partly upon himself, that he has been so careless 
and negligent in the management of his own business. 
That which the laws of the land sanction, can hardly be 
an offense against any law of Masonry. — Grand Master 
Belcher, p. 251, 1864. ' 

In reference to that portion of the GrTand Master's 
address which treats of the question whether a Masonic 
Lodge is a proper place for brethren to settle their 
differences in business transactions, and whether, if a 
brother pays debts owing to another brother, in the 
depreciated currency of the country, he is liable to a 
charge for unmasonic conduct, the Committee on Juris- 
prudence report as follows : 

This is one of those questions which we think ought 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 137 

to be determined by the circumstances. We agree with 
the Grand Master, that the courts of the country are 
estabUshed for the purpose of settKng differences which 
may arise in business transactions between men. A man 
does not cease to be a citizen when he becomes a Mason. 
All his duties and rights as a citizen are retained. Ma- 
sonic Lodges are established and exist for other and 
different purposes, and were we to open the door of the 
Lodge and invite Masons to make it the tribunal before 
which to try their business disputes, the real purposes 
of the fraternity would be forever rendered impossible. 
It is true, however, that circumstances may arise, in the 
course of transactions between Masons, of such a char- 
acter that one or the other would be liable to a charge 
for violation of Masonic obligations ; and of such cir- 
cumstances and their bearing upon the particular case 
to which they are sought to be made applicable, the 
Commissioners must judge, subject to the revision of 
this G-rand Lodge on appeal. It is impossible to estab- 
lish any certain rule. We have seen already, in the 
reports of the Committee on Grievances, that cases arise 
and are duly tried, in which the proof Avas of such a 
nature that the able committee who considered them 
found no violation of the obligations of the brother 
charged ; and yet, we apprehend that another case 
might arise in which the same committee would feel 
themselves constrained to affirm a judgment of convic- 
tion. 

We recommend that no action be had in the premises. 
— Committee on Jurisprudence^ p. 349, 1864. 



REPRESENTATIVE FUND. 

Resolved, That, for the ensuing fiscal year, there shall 
be levied upon the Lodges under this jurisdiction, in 
addition to the dues prescribed by the Constitution, the 
18 



138 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

sum of seventy-five cents for each member borne upon 
their respective rolls at the date of their annual returns, 
for account of the Representative Fund ; which assess- 
ment shall be paid at the same time and in the same 
manner as is prescribed for the payment of the regular 
annual dues. — p. 382, 1864. 

Resolved, That for the year ending March 1, 1864, 
there shall be levied upon the subordinate Lodges, in 
addition to the dues prescribed by the Constitution, 
the sum of seventy-five cents for each member borne 
upon their respective rolls at the date of their annual 
returns — to be assessed for the purpose and in the man- 
ner provided in certain resolutions relative to a Repre- 
sentative Fund adopted on the sixteenth day of May, 
1861, the same being in lieu of one dollar for each mem- 
ber, as therein directed. — p. 124, 1863. 

Resolved, That, in addition to the amount at present 
levied upon the subordinate Lodges, there be levied the 
sum of one dollar for the name of each Master Mason 
borne upon the rolls at the date of the annual returns, 
which shall constitute a special fund to be denominated 
" The Representative Fund " ; and that it shall be the 
duty of the several Lodges to pay the said sum at the 
time and in the manner prescribed for the payment of 
their annual dues. — pp. 51-2, 1861. 

See General Regulation, No. 13. 



COMPENSATION TO GRAND OFFICERS AND MEM- 
BERS OF THE GRAND LODGE. 

Resolved, That hereafter no Grand Officer, Chairman of 
a Standing Committee, or Representative' of a Lodge, 
shall receive payment for his necessary traveling ex- 
penses in attending a Communication of a Grand Lodge, 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 139 

who shall not have been in attendance from the first to 
the last day, inclusive, of such Communication, unless 
excused by special action of the Grand Lodge. — p. 382, 
1864. 

Resolved, That hereafter the appointed Grand Officers 
and the chairmen of the several Standing Committees, 
shall receive payment for their necessary traveling ex- 
penses to and from the place of meeting of the Grand 
Lodge, in the same manner as ordered for the Represent- 
atives of Lodges ; "provided, Jioivever, that no such Offi- 
cer, Chairman, or Representative, shall receive payment 
in more than one of those capacities ; and provided, fur- 
ther, that no such Officer, Chairman, or Representative 
shall receive any pay who shall already have been paid 
for such necessary traveling expenses by another Masonic 
Grand Body. — Committee on Jurisprudence, p. 125, 1863 : 
ordered to he published as a General Regulation. 

See Representatives and Delegates of Lodges, p. 139. 
Sec. 1, Art. YI, Part II, Constitution. 



REPRESENTATIVES AND DELEGATES OF LODGES. 

Resolved, That, at each Annual Communication, an Au- 
diting Committee, to consist of three, shall be appointed 
by the Grand Master, which committee shall audit all 
accounts of delegates from subordinate Lodges, for their 
necessary traveling expenses to and from the place of the 
Annual Communications ; and shall certify the amount 
due each delegate to the Grand Secretary, who shall 
thereupon draw liis warrant upon the Grand Treasurer 
for the amount due such delegate. The warrant shall 
specify the fund from which the money is drawn, and no 
warrant shall be issued to more than one delegate from 
each Lodge ; provided, that no delegate shall receive 
such payment who shall not have remained during the 



140 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

entire Communication, unless excused by the Grrand 
Lodge, and whose Lodge shall not have paid its dues for 
the current year. — p. 52, 1861. 

Bee Sec. 14, Art. Ill, Part III, Constitution. 
Art. VI, Part I, Constitution. 
Art. II, Part VII, Constitution. 
General Regulation, No. 13. 



BY-LAWS. • 

The charge that the brother has not signed the by- 
laws is one that ought not to be made in a well governed 
Lodge now. If he has not done so, he has certainly neg- 
lected his duty, but that neglect cannot forfeit his mem- 
bership, any more than would the neglect or violation of 
any other provision which they contain, until after due 
trial for such offense, that penalty should be incurred ; 
and this fact shows that the officers have been careless 
in the discharge of their duty, and that the brethren 
themselves cannot avoid a share of the blame which at- 
taches in this case. We advise the Masters of Lodges 
who * have not attended to this plain duty, to look well 
to it. — Committee on Jurisprudence^ p. 377, 1862. 

See Suspensions, Expulsions, and Restorations, p. 131. 
Sec. 5, Art. II, Part III, Constitution. 



UNIFORM CODE OF BY-LAWS. 

In relation to that portion of the Annual Report of 
the Grand Secretary concerning the by-laws of Lodges, 
which was referred to your committee, they can only 
echo the hope expressed by him, and strongly urge all 
Lodges in this jurisdiction to adopt the Uniform Code of 
By-laws, not only because they have been very carefully 
prepared by one of the best Masonic jurists in the State, 



CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE. 141 

and contain, in the opinion of your committee, all that is 
required for the proper regulation and government of the 
Lodges, but because it is most desirable that in this, as in 
all other respects, there should be uniformity throughout 
the jurisdiction. — Committee on Bij-latvs, p. 56, 1861. 

Resolved^ That the form of by-laAvs for the government 
of subordinate Lodges, as now revised and corrected by 
the special committee, be approved by the Grand Lodge ; 
and that it be recommended to all the Lodges within the 
jurisdiction for their adoption. — Committee on By-laius, 
p. 368, 1860. 



MASONIC CLOTHING AND PROCESSIONS. 

On no occasion, except for the burial of a brother, is 
it permitted for any Lodge or number of Masons to ap- 
pear in Masonic clothing in public procession, without 
special permission from the Grand Master ; and that 
permission ought very rarely to be asked or granted. — 
Grand blaster Belcher, p. 16, 1865. 

The sentiments of the Grand Master in regard to par- 
ticipating in our character as Masons, in public celebra- 
tions not of a Masonic character, are heartily approved, 
—p. 85, 1865. 

On occasions of festivity, as at Masonic balls, it seems 
to me to be in exceeding bad taste for brethren to appear 
in Masonic clothing. The white apron, in its place, is 
the appropriate and emblematic badge of a Mason, but 
in a ball-room, nothing could look much more absurd and 
out of good taste. — Grand Master Belcher, p. 16, 1865. 



142 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 



STANDING RESOLUTIONS RESCINDED. 

Your committee, appointed at the last Annual Com- 
munication to revise the Standing Resolutions and Regu- 
lations for Trials heretofore in force in this jurisdiction, 
report as follows : They find upon the statute book 
seventy-eight so-called Standing Resolutions, with the 
exception of three — Nos. 12, 44 and 46 — which have at 
different times been rescinded. Of these, forty-seven, 
viz. : 1, 2, 3, 5, 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 
22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 40, 41, 42, 43, 47, 48, 49, 
53, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 70, 75, 76, and 78— 
have, together with the Regulations for Trials, been 
substantially incorporated in the new Constitution pre- 
sented by this committee, and just adopted by the Grand 
Lodge— twenty, viz. : Nos. 4, 6, 17, 23, 26, 34, 35, 36, 38, 
45, 54, 55, 56, 57, 62, 68, 71, 72, 73, and 74— should be 
dropped ; some, as being entirely useless, some, as con- 
taining only enunciations of common truths in regard to 
which no legislation is required, others, as having been 
intended but for a temporary purpose, others still, as an- 
nouncing erroneous doctrine, and one or two perhaps, as 
being simply absurd ; and eight, viz. : Nos. 31, 37, 39, 
50, 51, 52, 69, and 77 — should, with some alterations of 
phraseology, be retained as general regulations. The 
committee therefore recommend the adoption of the fol- 
lowing resolution : 

Resolved, That all the Standing Resolutions of this 
Grand Lodge, with the exception of those now numbered 
as 31, 37, 39, 50, 51, 52, 69, and 77, be and are hereby re- 
scinded ; and that those excepted, after proper correction, 
shall be published hereafter, with the annual proceed- 
ings, under the name of General Regulations. — p. 116, 
1859. 



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144 



THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 



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GEAND OFFICEES 

ELECTED SINCE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE GRAND LODGE 
OF CALIFORNIA, APRIL 18th, A.L. 5850. 



Note. — Those deceased are indicated thiTS (*). 
1850. 

Jonathan D. Stevenson Grand Master, 

John A. Tutt. Deputy Grand Master, 

Caleb Fenner Senior Grand Warden, 

Saschel Woods ^ Junior Grand Warden, 

Levi Stowell '^ Grand Treasurer, 

John H. Gihon Grand Secretary. 

1851. 

John A. Tutt Grand Master, 

Benjamin D. Hyam Deputy Grand Master, 

E. F. W. Ellis ^- Senior Grand Warden, 

B. S. Olds Junior Grand Warden, 

TowNSEND A. Thomas Grand Treasurer, 

Levi Stowell ^ Grand Secretary. 

1852. 

Benjamin D. Hyam Grand Master, 

Charles M. Radcliff Deputy Grand Master, 

Adolphus Hollub Senior Grand Warden, 



LIST OF GRAND OFFICERS. 151 

John R. McConnell Junior Grand Warden, 

Addison Martin . . . . • Grand Treasurer, 

Levi Stowell ^' Grand Secretary. 

1853. 

Charles M. Radcliff Grand Master, 

Townsend a. Thomas Deputy Grand Master, 

John R. Grand all Senior Grand Warden, 

Richard F. Knott Junior Grand Warden, 

Addison Martin Grand Treasurer, 

Levi Stowell - Grand Secretary. 

1854. 

William H. Howard ^ Grand Master, 

N. Greene Curtis Deputy Grand Master, 

Rector E. Cole Senior Grand Warden, 

Robert N. Wood"^" Junior Grand Warden, 

Addison Martin Grand Treasurer, 

Leyi Stowell ^ Grand Secretary. 

1855. ■ 

William H. Howard ^ Grand Master, 

TowNSEND. A. Thomas Deputy Grand Master, 

John A. Raymond Senior Grand Warden, 

Samuel A. Merritt. Junior Grand Warden, 

Addison Martin Grand Treasurer, 

Levi Stowell ^ Grand Secretary. 

1856. 

William H. Howard - Grand Master, 

John A. Raymond Deputy Grand Master, 

Lemuel Lyon Senior Grand Warden, 

Philip W. Randle Junior Grand Warden, 

Addison Martin Grand Treasurer, 

Alexander G. Abell Grand Secretary. 



152 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

1857. 

N. Greene Curtis Grand Master, 

Charles Marsh Deputy Grand Master, 

Aaron D. Park Senior Grand Warden, 

John B. Bope Junior Grand Warden, 

Addison Martin Grand Treasurer, 

Alexander G. Abell Grand Secretary. 

1858. 

N. Greene Curtis Grand Master, 

Philip W. Shepheard ^ Deputy Grand Master, 

Wm. McCormick Senior Grand Warden, 

James W. Bicknell Junior Grand Warden, 

Addison Martin Grand Treasurer, 

Alexander G. Abell Grand Secretary. 

1859. 

N. Greene Curtis Grand Master, 

Philip W. Shepheard ^ Deputy Grand Master, 

Ebenezer Lane Senior Grand Warden, 

Thomas P. Hawley Junior Grand Warden, 

Addison Martin Grand Treasurer, 

Alexander G. Abell Grand Secretary. 

i860. 

N. Greene Curtis Grand Master, 

Philip W. Shepheard ^' Deputy Grand Master, 

William C. Belcher Senior Grand Warden, 

Alvinza Hayward Junior Grand Warden, 

Addison Martin Grand Treasurer, 

Alexander G. Abell Grand Secretary. 

1861. 

James Lawrence English Grand Master, 

William C. Belcher Deputy Grand Master, 

John W. Haryille Senior Grand Warden, 



LIST OF GRAND OFFICERS. 153 

Caleb E. Wilcoxon Junior Grand Warden, 

James Laidley Grand Treasurer, 

Alexander G. Abell .'. Grand Secretary. 

1862. 

William Caldwell Belcher Grand Master, 

Gilbert B. Claiborne Deputy Grand Master, 

John W. Harville Senior Grand Warden, 

John B. Hewson Junior Grand Warden, 

James Laidley Grand Treasurer, 

x\.LEXANDER G. Abell Grand Secretary. 

1863. 

William Caldwell Belcher Grand Master, 

Gilbert B. Claiborne Deputy Grand Master, 

Louis Cohn Senior Grand Warden, 

William A. Dayies Junior Grand Warden, 

James Laidley Grand Treasurer, 

Alexander G. Abell Grand Secretary. 

1864. 

William Caldwell Belcher Grand Master, 

Gilbert B. Claiborne Deputy Grand Master, 

William A. Dayies Senior Grand Warden, 

Isaac S. Titus Junior Grand Warden, 

James Laidley Grand Treasurer, 

Alexander G. Abell. Grand Secretary. 

1865. 

Gilbert B. Claiborne Grand Master, 

William A. Dayies Deputy Grand Master, 

Isaac S. Titus Senior Grand Warden, 

Henry H. Hartley Junior Grand Warden, 

James Laidley Grand Treasurer, 

Alexander G. Abell Grand Secretary. 

20 



154 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

1866. 

GriLBERT B. Claiborne Grand Master, 

Henry H. Hartley Deputy Grand Master, 

William H. Peterson Senior Grand Warden, 

Thos. Beck Junior Grand Warden, 

James Laidley Grand Treasurer, 

Alexander G. Abell Grand Secretary. 



GRAND CHAPTER 



ROYAL ARCH MASONS. 



COlSrSTITUTION 



OF THE 



M. •.£.-. GRAND CHAPTER 



il02itl %Xt)X liaS0ttJS 



OF THE 



STATE OF CALIFORNIA. 



Of the Organization of the Grand Chapter. 
ARTICLE I. 

OF ITS TITLE AND SEAL. 

Section 1. This Grand Chapter shall be entitled 
"The Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch 
Masons of the State of California," and shall have a 
Seal, bearing suitable devices and inscriptions, which 
shall be affixed to all instruments issued by or under its 
authority. 

ARTICLE II. 

OF ITS MEMBERS AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS. 

Section 1. This Grand Chapter shall be comprised 
of a Grand High Priest, a Deputy Grand High Priest, a 
Grand King, a Grand Scribe, a Grand Treasurer, a Grand 
Secretary, a Grand Chaplain, a Grand Captain of the 



158 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Host, a G-rand Royal Arch Captain, a Grand Guard, and 
such other officers as it may hereafter designate ; to- 
gether with all Past Grand High Priests, Past Deput}^ 
Grand High Priests, Past Grand Kings, Past Grand 
Scribes, and Past High Priests, by service in this juris- 
diction, and the High Priests, Kings, and Scribes of the 
several chartered and duly constituted Chapters, or their 
regularly appointed proxies. 

Sec. 2. Each officer and member of the Grand Chap- 
ter must be a member of some Chapter within its juris- 
diction ; and with the cessation of such membership 
shall cease his office and membership in the G-rand 
Chapter. 

ARTICLE in. 

OF ITS POWERS AND AUTHORITY. 

Section 1. This Grand Chapter has the sole govern- 
ment and superintendence of all Chapters of Royal Arch 
Masons, and Lodges of the Intermediate Degrees, in the 
State of California ; with authority to settle controver- 
sies that may arise between them ; to assign their limits ; 
to prescribe laws and regulations for their government ; 
and to review, confirm, or annul their decisions. 

Sec. 2. It may grant dispensations and charters for 
holding regular Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, and 
may revoke, suspend, or annul the same for good cause. 

Sec. 3. It may assess and collect, from the several 
Chapters under its jurisdiction, such sums of money, 
annually, as may be found necessary for its maintenance 
and support. 

ARTICLE IV. 

OF ITS CONVOCATIONS. 

Section 1. The Grand Chapter shall hold its annual 
convocations for the transaction of its regular business, 
at such place as the M.'.W.*. Grand Lodge of Free and 
Accepted Masons of the State of California shall meet, 
commencing at 10 o'clock, a.m., on the Monday next sue- 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.E.'. GRAND CHAPTER. 159 

ceeding the day upon which that Grand Body commenceR 
its annual communications. 

Sec. 2. The Grand High Priest may call special con- 
vocations of the Grand Chapter whenever in his opinion 
the welfare of the Order shall require it. 

Sec. 3. Special convocations shall be ordered by the 
Grand High Priest upon an application therefor in writ- 
ing, setting forth the causes which demand it, and signed 
by the High Priests of at least five chartered Ciiapters. 

Sec. 4. Every order for a special convocation shall 
designate the object thereof, so far as is proper to be 
written, and shall be issued to each Chapter and Grand 
Officer at least thirty days before the day named for 
meeting ; and no business shall be transacted thereat, 
other than that for which the Grand Chapter was con- 
vened. 

Sec. 5. There must be at least nine chartered Chap- 
ters represented in order to transact any business in the 
Grand Chapter, either at an annual or a special convoca- 
tion. 

xVRTICLE V. 

OF ITS ELECTIONS. 

Section 1. The officers of the Grand Chapter (except 
the Grand Chaplain and the Grand Guard) shall be 
chosen by ballot at each annual convocation ; shall be 
installed before the close thereof ; and shall hold their 
respective offices until their successors are elected and 
installed. A majority of all the votes cast shall be 
necessary for a choice. The Grand Chaplain shall be 
appointed b}'- the Grand High Priest. 

Sec. 2. The Grand Guard shall be appointed by the 
Grand High Priest, immediately after his installation, 
at each annual convocation ; shall be properly invested 
before the close thereof ; and shall hold his office during 
the will and pleasure of the Grand High Priest. 

Sec. 3. Any vacancy in office occurring when the 
Grand Chapter is not in session, may be filled by the 



160 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Grand High Priest, and the ofj&cer so appointed shall 
possess all the powers, and be charged with all the duties 
of one regularly elected. 

ARTICLE VI. 

OF ITS VOTING AND EEPRESENTATION. 

Section 1. All questions in the Grand Chapter (ex- 
cept elections of officers) shall be decided viva voce, or 
by a show of hands, unless, before the announcement of 
the result thereof, three members shall demand that the 
vote be taken by yeas and nays, in which case it shall 
thus be taken. In all cases of a tie vote, except votes 
by ballot, the Grand High Priest, in addition to his 
proper vote, may have the casting vote. 

Sec. 2. Each Grand Officer present (except the Grand 
Guard), and each Past Grand High Priest, Past Deputy 
Grand High Priest, Past Grand King, and Past Grand 
Scribe present, shall be entitled to one vote. 

Sec. 3. Each Chapter represented shall be entitled 
to three votes ; and the Past High Priests of each Chap.- 
ter shall, collectively, be entitled to one vote. 

Sec. 4. No Grand Officer, Past Grand Officer, or Past 
High Priest, voting, or participating in a vote, in either 
of those capacities, shall vote, or participate in a vote, in 
any other of them ; but either of such members may, 
as High Priest, King, Scribe, or as the proxy of either 
or all of them, cast also the vote or votes to which such 
position shall entitle him. 

ARTICLE VH. 

OF ITS COMMITTEES. 

Section 1. The following regular committees, to con- 
sist of not less than three nor more than five members 
each, shall be appointed by the Grand High Priest at 
each annual convocation, viz. : On Credentials, on Griev- 
ances, on Finances, on New Chapters, on Returns, on 
By-laws, on Jurisprudence, and on Correspondence. The 



CONSTITUTION OP THE M.'.E. '.GRAND CHAPTER. 161 

two last named shall be Standing Committees, and shall 
serve d-^ring the year. 

Sec. 2. Special Committees may also be appointed 
by the Grand High Priest whenever deemed necessary 
by the Grand Chapter. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

OF ITS REVENUES . 

Section 1. The revenue of the Grand Chapter shall 
be derived from fees charged for dispensations, charters- 
diplomas, and other instruments issued under its author- 
ity, and from contributions levied upon the Chapters, 
which shall always be equal and uniform, in proportion 
to their membership and degrees, as follows : 

1st. For a dispensation to open a new Chapter, ninety 
dollars, of which fifteen dollars shall be the fee of the 
Grand Secretary : 

2d. For a charter to perpetuate a Chapter, sixty dol- 
lars, of which ten dollars shall be the fee of the Grand 
Secretary : 

3d. For a dispensation to hold an election for an officer 
or officers at a time other than that named in this Con- 
stitution, five dollars : 

4th. For a dispensation to ballot for a candidate for 
the degrees, without reference to a committee, five dol- 
lars : 

5th. For a diploma, five dollars, of which three dollars 
shall be the fee of the Grand Secretary : 

And in no case shall any of the foregoing documents 
be issued until the fees therefor sliall have been paid to 
the Grand Secretary. 

Sec. 2. The following contributions shall be paid as 
annual dues, by each of the Chapters, whether chartered 
or under dispensation : 

1st. For each Mark Master's, Past Master's, Most Ex- 
cellent Master's, and Royal Arch 'Degree, conferred dur- 
ing the year, the sum of one dollar : 

21 



162 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

2d. For each Royal Arch Mason borne upon its roll, 
at the date of its annual return, the sum of one dollar ; 
and the Grand Chapter may levy, in addition to the 
above, such other contributions as, in its judgment, may 
be required. 



Of the Grand Officers. 
ARTICLE IX. 

OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST. 

Section 1. The Grand High Priest shall, at each an- 
nual convocation, present a written report of all his offi- 
cial acts during the year, and of the condition of Royal 
Arch Masonry within his jurisdiction, together with such 
recommendations as he shall deem conducive to the pros- 
perity and advancement of the Order. From his decis- 
ions there shall be no appeal. 

Sec. 2. He shall carefully supervise the subordinate 
Chapters^ and see that the Constitutions and Regulations 
of the General Grand Chapter, as well as those of this 
Grand Chapter, are faithfully observed. 

Sec. 3. He shall have power, when the Grand Chap- 
ter is not in session — 

1st. To issue dispensations for the formation of new 
Chapters : 

2d. To issue dispensations for the election of an officer 
or officers of a Chapter at a time other than that named 
in this Constitution : 

3d. To issue dispensations to ballot for a candidate for 
the degrees without reference to a committee : 

4th. To convene any Chapter within his jurisdiction, 
preside therein, inspect its proceedings, and give such 
orders and instructions as he may deem necessary : 

5th. To arrest the charter or dispensation of any Chap- 
ter, for good reasons shown, and, for proper cause, to 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.'.E. '.GRAND CHAPTER. 163 

suspend any High Priest from the functions of his office 
until the ensuing annual convocation. 

Sec. 4. He shall constitute, either in person or by 
proxy, all newly-chartered [^Chapters, and install their 
officers. 

ARTICLE X. 

OF THE DEPUTY GRAND HIGH PRIEST. 

Section 1 . The Deputy Grand High Priest shall have 
power, during the recess of the Grand Chapter, to grant 
dispensations for the formation of new Chapters. 

Sec. 2. In the event of the death of the Grand High 
Priest, or of his absence from the State, or his inability, 
from any cause, to perform the functions of his office, 
the Deputy Grand High Priest shall succeed to and be 
charged Avith all his powers and duties. 

ARTICLE XI. 

OF THE GRAND KING AND GRAND SCRIBE. 

Section 1. The "Grand King and Grand Scribe, in the 
event of the death, absence from the State, or inability, 
as before, of both their superiors, shall in the order of 
their rank, succeed to and be charged with all the pow- 
ers and duties of the Grand High Priest. 

Sec. 2. In case all the four principal Grand Officers 
shall be absent from any convocation, the Past Grand 
Officers of like rank, shall, in the order of their rank and 
seniority, be empowered to preside ; and in the event of 
the absence of all the Grand and Past Grand Officers, 
the High Priest of the oldest Chapters represented, 
shall take charge. 

ARTICLE XII. 

OF THE GRAND TJlEAStFRER. 

Section L The Grand Treasurer shall receive all 
moneys belonging to the Grand Chapter from the Grand 
Secretary, and shall pay the same out under such regu- 



164 THE CALIFOENIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

lations as may by it be provided. He shall keep a just 
account thereof in proper books, and at each annual 
convocation shall present a detailed statement of his 
receipts and disbursements, together with proper vouch- 
ers for the latter, and a full statement of the existing 
condition of the finances. 

Sec. 2. He shall execute and file with the Grand 
High Priest, within fifteen days after his installation, a 
bond, in such penal sum, and with such sureties, as shall 
be approved by that officer, conditioned that he will 
faithfully discharge his duties, and at the end of his term 
of office, pay over and transfer to his successor all funds 
or property of the G-rand Chapter which shall have come 
into his keeping. 

ARTICLE Xni. 

OF THE GRAND SECRETARY. 

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Grand Secre- 
tary to record all the transactions of the Grand Chapter 
which it is proper to have written, and to superintend 
the publication thereof immediately after the close of 
each annual convocation. He shall receive, duly file, 
and safely keep, all papers and documents addressed or 
belonging to the Grand Chapter, and present such as 
may require its action, at each convocation. He shall 
keep the Seal of the Grand Chapter, and fix the same 
w^ith his attestation to all documents emanating from 
that body. He shall collect the revenue of the Grand 
Chapter, pay it over to the Grand Treasurer, and pre- 
sent a detailed report of his receipts and of all business 
appertaining to his office, at each annual convocation. 
He shall report at each annual convocation all Chapters 
which are in arrears to the Grand Chapter, or which 
shall have neglected or refused to comply with any 
provision of its Constitution or Regulations. He shall 
conduct the correspondence of the Grand Chapter, and 
submit copies thereof at each annual convocation. He 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.E/. GRAND CHAPTER. 165 

shall take charge of the jewels, furniture, clothing, and 
paraphernalia of the Grand Chapter during its vaca- 
tions. He shall report at each annual convocation all 
unfinished business, and shall perform such other duties 
as may be assigned him by the Grand Chapter or Grand 
High Priest. 

Sec. 2. He shall receive such compensation for his 
services as the Grand Chapter may direct, and shall 
execute and file with the Grand High Priest, Avithin 
fifteen days after his installation, a bond, in such penal 
sum, and with such sureties, as shall be approved by 
that ofiicer, conditioned that he will faithfully discharge 
the duties of his office, as prescribed by this Constitution. 



Relative to Subordinate Chapters. 
ARTICLE XIV. 

OF THEIR FORMATION. 

Section 1. Upon the petition of nine or more Royal 
Arch Masons in good standing, the Grand Chapter, 
Grand High Priest, or Deputy Grand High Priest, may 
issue a Letter of Dispensation authorizing them to form 
and open a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and Lodges 
of the Intermediate Degrees, with power to confer the 
several degrees thereof and receive members by affilia- 
tion. But no such dispensation shall issue, unless the 
petition be accompanied by a recommendation from the 
chartered Chapter nearest the location of the proposed 
new one, which shall certify to the good standing of each 
of the petitioners, and that a suitable place of meeting 
has been provided ; and by a certificate from the Grand 
Lecturer (if there be one), or from a High Priest Avhom 
the Grand High Priest is satisfied is well skilled in the 
Royal Art, declaring that the High Priest proposed in 
said petition is qualified to properly confer all the Chap- 



166 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

ter degrees and deliver the lectures thereunto apper- 
taining ; nor unless the petition shall also be accompan- 
ied by a certificate of withdrawal of each petitioner from 
the Chapter of which he was last a member. Such dis- 
pensation shall terminate on the first day of the month 
in which the next succeeding annual convocation shall 
be holden, and then shall be returned to the Grand Sec- 
retary, together with the book of records, by-laws, and 
returns to that date, when, if the transactions of the new 
Chapter shall appear satisfactory to the G-rand Chapter, 
it may, upon petition therefor, receive a charter. 

Sec. 2. A Chapter shall consist of a High Priest, a 
King, a Scribe, a Captain of the Host, a Principal So- 
journer, a Royal Arch Captain, three Masters of the 
Vails, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Guard, and such other 
officers as its By-laws may provide, together with as 
many members as it may find convenient. 

ARTICLE XV. 

OF THEIE DUTIES. 

Section 1. Each Chapter shall have a stated meeting 
at least once in every month for the transaction of its 
regular business. Special meetings may be ordered by 
the Chapter, or by the High Priest, but no business shall 
be done thereat, except collections or appropriations for 
charity, or conferring of degrees. All business, except 
the conferring of degrees, shall be done in a Chapter of 
Eoyal Arch Masons. 

Sec. 2. Each chartered and duly constituted Chapter 
shall be represented in the Grand Chapter at every con- 
vocation, by one or more of its proper officers, or by his 
or their proxies ; but such proxy or proxies shall be 
members of such Chapter. 

Sec. 3. Each chartered Chapter shall transmit to the 
Grand Secretary a full and correct returns of its trans- 
actions for the twelve months next preceding the first 
day of August in each year, within fifteen days there- 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.E.*. GRAND CHAPTER. 1G7 

after, in the form hereinafter provided, and shall accom- 
pany such return with payment of its dues to the Grand 
Chaptjer. 

Sec. 4. Each Chapter shall transmit to the Grand 
Secretary a copy of its By-laws, as soon as adopted, but 
no such By-laws, nor any subsequent amendment there- 
unto, shall be deemed valid, until approved by the Grand 
Chapter, though they may be acted under until the next 
annual convocation, if approved by the Grand High 
Priest. 

Sec. 5. Each chartered Chapter shall, within three 
months from the date of its charter, provide a suitable 
seal, bearing such devices as shall be deemed proper, 
and having inscribed thereon the name and number of 
the Chapter, the date of its charter, and the place of 
its location ; and all documents and papers emanating 
from such Chapter, or from its High Priest, or Secre- 
tary, in his official capacity, shall bear the impress of 
such seal, or be considered null and of no effect. 

ARTICLE XVI. 

OF THEIR ELECTIONS. 

Section 1. The officers of each Chapter (except the 
Guard, w^ho shall be appointed by the High Priest) shall 
be chosen by ballot, at the stated meeting next preced- 
ing the Anniversary of St. John the Evangelist ; shall 
be installed as soon thereafter as practicable, and shall 
hold their respective offices until their successors shall 
have been duly elected and installed. A majority of all 
the votes cast shall be necessary for a choice. 

Sec. 2. In case any Chapter shall fail to hold such 
election at the time above specified, upon good cause 
being shown therefor, the Grand High Priest may issue 
a dispensation to hold such election at another time ; 
and in case a vacancy shall at any time occur in either 
of the offices of High Priest, King, or Scribe, in any 
Chapter, upon proper representation of the necessity 



168 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

therefor, the Grand High Priest may issue a dispensa- 
tion to fill such vacancy. But, in either of these cases, 
such dispensation shall be issued only upon the applica- 
tion of the Chapter, setting forth the reasons therefor, 
to be approved by two-thirds of the members present at 
a stated meeting, and to be properly certified by the 
Secretary ; and of the special election which may thus 
be ordered the members shall have Hue notice. 

Sec. 2. Every member in good standing, and whose 
dues are paid, shall be entitled to vote at all elections ; 
and ever}^ voter shall be eligible to any office in the 

Chapter. 

ARTICLE XVII. 

OF PROHIBITIONS. 

Section 1. No Chapter in this State shall receive an 
application for the degrees unless the applicant shall 
have resided within its jurisdiction during six months 
next preceding the date of his application, except by 
permission of the Chapter nearest his place of residence ; 
nor shall the application of a rejected candidate for the 
degrees be presented to any Chapter within six months 
after such rejection, without the unanimous consent of 
the Chapter in which he was rejected. All such appli- 
cations, as well as those for affiliation, shall be in writing, 
signed by the applicant, and recommended by at least 
two members of the Chapter. 

Sec. 2. No Chapter shall ballot upon such applica- 
tion (except by dispensation of the Grand High Priest), 
until it shall have been referred to a committee, whose 
duty it shall be to make strict examination into the qual- 
ifications of the applicant, and to report thereon at the 
next stated meeting, unless further time be granted. No 
application shall be withdrawn after reference to a com- 
mittee, and it shall require a unanimous ballot to elect. 
But if one black ball only appear in the ballot-box, the 
High Priest, without declaring the result, may order a 
second ballot, for the purpose of correcting a possible 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.E.'. GRAND CHAPTER. 16;) 

mistake, when, if a black ball again be cast, the appli- 
cant shall be declared rejected. 

Sec. 3. No dispensation shall be issued to a Chapter 
to ballot for a candidate for the degrees without the ref- 
erence of his petition to a committee, as before, unless 
application therefor be made by a majority of the Coun- 
cil thereof, and of the issue of such dispensation and its 
purpose the members of the Chapter shall have due no- 
tice. 

Sec. 4. No Chapter shall receive a petition for the 
degrees, or for membership, unless the applicant there- 
for is a Master Mason, in good standing ; nor shall an 
application for affiliation be received unless it be accom- 
panied by a certificate of dismissal from the Chapter of 
which the applicant was last a member, or a satisfactory 
explanation, in writing, of the inability to furnish such 
certificate. 

Sec. 5. No Chapter shall confer the degrees for a 
less sum than fifty dollars ; and in every case the fee for 
each, or all of the degrees, as may be regulated by the 
Chapter, shall accompany the application. 

Sec. 6. No Chapter shall expel a member for the 
non-payment of his dues, but any member who shall be 
six months in arrears therefor shall be immediately noti- 
fied thereof by the Secretary, and if the said dues shall 
not be paid at or before the next stated meeting, or some 
sufficient reason be presented for such non-payment, he 
shall be suspended from all the rights and privileges of 
Royal Arch Masonry. Any member thus suspended, 
who shall at any time thereafter pay the arrearages due 
at the time of his suspension, together w4th such further 
dues as would, had he retained his membership, have 
accrued against him, to the date of such payment, shall 
by that act be restored. 

Sec. 7. No Chapter shall receive lectures from any 
person who is not duly authorized by the Grand Chap- 
ter, or Grand High Priest. 
22 



no THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Sec. 8. No Chapter which shall have failed to make 
its annual returns shall be entitled to representation at 
the next annual convocation of the Grand Chapter. 

Sec. 9. No person shall be admitted either as a mem- 
ber or a visitor in any Chapter, unless he shall have 
regularly received the degree of Entered Apprentice, 
Fellow- Craft, Master Mason, Mark Master, Past Master, 
Most Excellent Master, and the Royal Arch, in just and 
legally constituted bodies of such. 

Sec. 10. No Chapter, until chartered and duly con- 
stituted, shall be entitled to representation in this Grand 
Chapter ; but a Chapter under dispensation may send 
delegates thereto, who may be admitted to seats and be 
permitted to speak, but shall have no vote. 

Sec. 11. No Chapter of Royal Arch Masons within 
this jurisdiction shall be considered legal without a dis- 
pensation or charter from this Grand Chapter ; and no 
Masonic communication shall be held with any such 
Chapter, or with any person Avho is a member thereof, 
or has received the degrees therein. 

ARTICLE XVIII. 

OF THE DISSOLUTION OF CHAPTERS. 

Section 1. The charter of a Chapter may be surren- 
dered, if notice shall be given at a stated meeting that a 
resolution to that effect will be presented at the next 
succeeding one ; and if, at such succeeding meeting, 
there shall not be nine members present who oppose 
such resolution, it may be surrendered, if it shall be so 
ordered by a majorit}^ of those assembled ; but no such 
act of surrender shall be considered final until it .shall 
have been approved and accepted by the Grand Chapter. 

Sec 2. The charter of a Chapter may be forfeited — 

1st. By disobedience to any provision of the Consti- 
tution or Regulations of this Grand Chapter, or of the 
General Grand Chapter : 

2d. By disregard to the lawful authority of the Grand 
HiQ-li Priest : 



CONSTITUTION^ OF THE M.'.E.'. GRAND CHAPTER. 171 

3cl. By violation or neglect of the ancient and recog- 
nized usages of the Craft : 

4th. By a failure to meet during a period of six suc- 
cessive months ; or 

oth. By a reduction of its members to a less number 
than nine. 

Sec. 3. In case of the dissolution of a Chapter, the 
Grand Secretary, or some companion by him duly author- 
ized, shall at once proceed to receive its funds on hand, 
collect its outstanding dues, and dispose of its jewels, 
furniture, and property of every kind, in such manner 
as shall seem to him most judicious : and he shall place 
the proceeds thereof, after the payment of the necessary 
expenses, among the funds of the G-rand Chapter. 

ARTICLE XIX. 

OF THE OFFICERS OF CHAPTERS. 

Section 1. Each High Priest has it in special charge 
to see that the By-laws of his Chapter, and the Consti- 
tution and Regulations of the Grand Chapter, as well as 
those of the General Grand Chapter are duly observed ; 
that accurate records are kept, and just accounts and 
proper reports rendered by his officers ; and that regular 
returns are annually made to the Grand Chapter at the 
time prescribed therefor, with prompt payment of the 
annual dues. From his decisions there shall be uo appeal 
to the Chapter, but any five members thereof may com- 
plain of his decisions or conduct to the Grand Chapter 
or Grand High Priest. 

Sec. 2. The King and Scribe shall perform the duties 
severally assigned them by the traditional usages of the 
Order, and, in the absence of the High Priest, shall, in 
the order of their rank, succeed to and be charged with 
all his powers and duties. 

Sec. 3. The Treasurer shall receive from the Secre- 
tary all moneys belonging to the Chapter, and shall pay 
the same out under such re o: illations, and account there- 



172 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

for at such times and in such manner as by it may be 
prescribed. 

Sec. 4. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record 
of all the transactions of the Chapter which should be 
written, including a list of the officers and members 
present at each meeting ; shall collect the revenue, and 
pay it over to the Treasurer ; shall keep correct accounts 
of the dues of members ; shall prepare and transmit the 
annual returns to the Grand Secretary ; shall keep the 
Seal of the Chapter, and affix it to all documents ema- 
nating therefrom ; and shall perform such other duties 
as may be required of him by the Chapter or High 
Priest. 

Sec. 5. The other officers shall perform such duties 

as traditionally appertain to their respective stations, or 

may be assigned them by the Chapter or the High 

Priest. 

ARTICLE XX. 

OF MEMBERSHIP. 

Section 1. Membership in a Chapter may be acquired 
by having regularly received the degree of Royal Arch 
Mason therein ; by having been duly elected for affilia- 
tion therewith ; or, by having been named, in a dispen- 
sation for a new Chapter, as one of the petitioners there- 
for. 

Sec. 2. No Royal Arch Mason shall be a member of 
more than one Chapter at a time. 

Sec. 3. Membership in a Chapter can only be termi- 
nated by voluntary withdrawal therefrom ; by the disso- 
lution of the Chapter ; or, by death, suspension, or ex- 
pulsion. 

Sec. 4. A member of a Chapter may withdraw there- 
from, unless charges are pending against him, by pay- 
ing his dues and notifying the Chapter of such intention 
at any stated meeting ; but no recommendatory certifi- 
cate shall be issued, unless ordered by a majority of the 
members present. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.'.E. '.GRAND CHAPTER. 173 

Sec. 5. No member of a Chapter shall be required to 
divulge his vote upon a ballot for the degrees or for affili- 
ation, nor to assign reasons for such vote, if it be known. 



Of Trials^ Appeals^ and Penalties. 
ARTICLE XXI. 

RELATIVE TO THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST. 

Section 1. Charges may be preferred against the 
Grand High Priest for abuse of his power, violation of 
the Constitution or Regulations of the Grand Chapter, 
or other unmasonic conduct, by any five High Priests of 
Chapters ; which charges shall be in writing, over their 
signatures, and shall be presented to the last Past Grand 
High Priest of this Grand Chapter who may be within 
the State, and who is a member of a Chapter within its 
jurisdiction. 

Sec. 2. Upon the presentation of such charges, it 
shall be the duty of such Past Grand High Priest to 
transmit a copy thereof to the accused, if within the 
State, at least thirty days, and if without the State, at 
least ninety days, before the time designated for the trial, 
together with a notification to attend at such time and at 
the place he may therein name, Avhich shall be one most 
convenient for the parties ; and he shall also summon four 
or more other Past Grand High Priests of this State, who 
shall be members of Chapters therein, to assemble Avith 
him at the time and place designated, and shall notify the 
accused thereof. 

Sec. 3. The tribunal thus assembled, or any of its 
members, shall have power to summon witnesses at the 
request of either party ; it shall receive such testimony 
as in its judgment shall be proper, and shall determine 
finally upon the guilt or innocence of the accused ; and 
the opinion of a majority shall be the judgment of the 
tribunal, and shall be final. 



174 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Sec. 4. The only penalty inflicted shall be depriva- 
tion of office ; but, when thus deprived, the adjudged 
shall be amenable to his Chapter upon a charge of un- 
masonic conduct. 

Sec. 5. The G-rand Secretary shall attend at the trial 
to keep a record of the proceedings and of the judgment, 
which shall be filed in his office, and shall be presented 
at the next annual convocation of the Grand Chapter. 

Sec. 6. All necessary traveling expenses of the mem- 
bers of such tribunal shall be paid by the Grand Chap- 
ter. 

AETICLE XXII. 

RELATIVE TO HIGH PRIESTS .OP CHAPTERS. 

Section 1. Charges may be preferred against the 
High Priest of a Chapter for abuse of his power, viola- 
tion of the Constitution or Regulations, or for unmasonic 
conduct of any kind, by any five Royal Arch Masons 
in good standing ; which charges shall be in writing, over 
their signatures, and shall be presented to the Grand 
Chapter, if in session, or to the Grand High Priest dur- 
ing the vacation. 

Sec. 2. Upon the presentation of such charges, the 
Grand Chapter, or the Grand High Priest, as the case 
may be, may at once appoint and summon not less than 
three nor more than seven disinterested High Priests, to 
assemble as Commissioners to hear and determine there- 
upon ; and shall then summon the accused to appear and 
answer thereunto, at such time and place most conveni- 
ent for the parties as shall be indicated in said sum- 
mons ; giving him, if within the jurisdiction of his Chap- 
ter, at least ten days — if without that jurisdiction and 
within the State, at least thirty days — and if without the 
State, at least ninety days — to answer thereunto ; and 
transmitting to him also a copy of the charges. 

Sec. 3. The Commissioners thus assembled shall choose 
one of their number to preside ; and they, or any of them, 
shall have power to summon witnesses, at the request of 



COXSTITUTIOX OF THE M.'.E.'.GRAXP CHAPTER. 175 

either party. The witnesses, if Masons, shall testiiy upon 
their honor, as such : if not. their depositions shall be 
taken, in writing, before an officer legally authorized to 
administer oaths ; and. in such case, the party requiring 
such depositions shall notify the other of the time and 
place when and where they will be taken, that he may, 
if he choose, be present thereat. 

Sec. 4. The Commissioners may adjourn from time 
to time, at their own convenience, or for good cause 
shown by either party ; provided., that the period withiu 
which their duties shall be concluded shall not exceed 
ten days, unless, for sufficient reasons, the Grand High 
Priest shall grant them further time. 

Sec. 5. The opinion of a majority of the Commis- 
sioners shall be deemed the judgment of the whole, and 
shall be conclusive, unless an appeal be taken at the next 
annual convocation of the Grand Chapter. 

Sec. 6. The penalties which may be iniiicted by such 
Commissioners may be either deprivation of office, sus- 
pension, or expulsion, as in their judgment shall be 
deemed proper. 

Sec. T. The Commissioners shall keep a complete 
record of their proceedings and of their judgment, and 
shall transmit the same to the Grand Secretary, at the 
conclusion of the trial : and the judgment shall at once 
be carried into effect, by order of the Grand High Priest. 

Sec. 8. An appeal to the Grand Chapter may be 
taken at its next annual convocation, by either party, if 
notice thereof be given to the Grand Secretary within 
thirty days after the conclusion of the trial. 

AETICLE XXIII. 
relative to chapters axd aieaibers of differext 

chaptei^s. 
Sectiox 1. When a controversy shall arise between 
Chapters, or between a Chapter and a member or mem- 
bers of another Chapter, charges may be preferred by 



176 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

either party, if in good standing ; which charges shall 
be in writing, and shall be presented to the Grand Chap- 
ter, or Grand High Priest, as provided in Sec. 1, Art. 
XXII. 

Sec. 2. Upon the presentation of such charges, not 
less than five nor more than seven Commissioners shall 
be appointed and summoned, as provided in Sec. 2, Art. 
XXII ; which Commissioners shall be High Priests, 
Kings, or Scribes, and shall be selected from at least 
three different Chapters not interested in the contro- 
versy, and most convenient to the parties ; and the ac- 
cused party shall be summoned, with such time to an- 
swer as provided in the section and article last quoted. 

Sec. 3. The Commissioners shall have power to pro- 
ceed, and shall keep a record of the proceedings and 
judgment in the same manner as provided in Sec. 7, Art. 
XXII, and the penalties which they may inflict may be 
any known to Masonic usage ; or, if the case be not one 
involving a violation of Masonic duty, the decision may 
be such special one as the circumstances shall, in their 
judgment, warrant. 

Sec. 4. An appeal may be taken by either party to 
the Grand Chapter, as provided in Sec. 8, Art. XXII. 

ARTICLE XXIV. 

relative to royal arch masons individually. 

Section 1. When any member of a Chapter (except 
its High Priest, or the Grand High Priest), or any Poyal 
Arch Mason, residing within its jurisdiction, shall be ac- 
cused of unmasonic conduct, charges to that effect may 
be preferred by any Poyal Arch Mason in good standing ; 
which charges shall be in writing, over his signature, 
and shall be presented to the High Priest of the Chap- 
ter having jurisdiction thereof. 

Sec. 2. Upon the presentation of such charges, it 
shall be the duty of the High Priest, by due notifica- 
tion, to call a special meeting of the Chapter as soon as 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.E.'.GRAND CHAPTER. 177 

practicable, and there cause to be elected, by ballot, and 
by a majority of those present, not less than seven nor 
more than nine of its members, who shall assemble as 
Commissioners, to hear and determine thereupon, at such 
time and place convenient to the parties as he shall indi- 
cate ; and he shall also summon the accused to appear 
and answer thereunto at such time and place ; and shall, 
at the same time, cause the Secretary to furnish him with 
a copy of the charges, and to notify the accuser of the 
said time and place of trial. 

Sec. 3. If the accused be w^ithin the jurisdiction of 
the Chapter, the summons and copy of the charges shall 
be issued at least ten days prior to the day appointed for 
the trial, and shall be served personally by the Guard, 
or shall be left at his ordinary residence or place of busi- 
ness. If he be without the said jurisdiction, but within 
the State, and his residence be known, they shall be is- 
sued at least thirty days before the day of trial, and shall 
be forwarded to his address by the Secretary, by mail or 
other usual mode of conveyance, which shall be deemed 
sufficient service. If he be without the State, and his 
residence be known, they shall be issued at least ninety 
days before the trial, and shall be forwarded to his ad- 
dress by the Secretary, as before provided, which shall 
be sufficient service. If his address is unknown, the High 
Priest shall order the trial to proceed at once upon the 
testimony, ex 'parte. 

Sec. 4. The Commissioners shall assemble at the time 
and place appointed, and shall choose one of their num- 
ber to preside ; and the Secretary, by order of the High 
Priest, shall attend them, to keep a full and correct record 
of the proceedings and of the judgment, under their su- 
pervision. 

Sec. 5. The High Priest shall summon such witnesses, 

within the jurisdiction of his Chapter, as may be desired 

by either party, and the accused may select any iDrother 

in good standing to assist him in his defense. The wit- 

23 



178 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

nesses, if Masons, shall testify on their honor as such ; 
if not, their depositions shall be taken in writing, before 
an officer legally authorized to administer oaths ; and, in 
such case, the party requiring such depositions shall 
notify the other of the time and place when and where 
they will be taken, that he may, if he choose, be present 
thereat. 

Sec. 6. The Commissioners may adjourn from time 
to time, at their own convenience, or for sufficient cause 
shown by either party ; provided, that the period within 
which their duties shall be concluded ^all not exceed, 
ten days, unless for good reason shown tne High Priest 
shall grant them further time. 

Sec. 7. After all the testimony shall have been re- 
ceived, the Commissioners shall proceed to deliberate 
upon their verdict and sentence, with none present save 
themselves and the Secretary, which last shall have no 
voice in the proceedings. The judgment of a majority 
of the Commissioners shall be taken as the decision of 
the whole ; and when the trial is concluded, the Secre- 
tary shall make a fair copy of the record and finding, un- 
der their supervision, which shall be signed by the chair- 
man of such Commission, and attested by the Secretary, 
and shall be presented to the High Priest, who, at the 
next meeting of his Chapter, shall, in the presence of its 
members only, announce the result, and direct the Secre- 
tary to record the same as the judgment of the Chapter, 
and file the record for safe keeping among its archives. 

Sec. 8. The penalties which may be inflicted are rep- 
rimand in open Chapter, suspension, or expulsion. If 
the sentence be reprimand, the High Priest shall sum- 
mon the adjudged to appear at the next stated meeting, 
when it shall be carried into effect, in the presence only 
of members of the Chapter. If it be suspension or ex- 
pulsion, it shall at once go into effect, and the Secretary 
shall immediately notify the Grand Secretary thereof; 
and it shall be final and conclusive, unless an appeal be 
taken to the Grand Chapter. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M.'.E/.GRAND CHAPTER. 179 

Sec. 9. An appeal may be taken to the Grand Chap- 
ter by either party at its next succeeding annual convo- 
cation, but not unless a notice of such intended appeal 
shall be given to the High Priest within thirty days after 
his announcement of the result of the trial ; and in all 
cases of expulsion or suspension the High Priest shall 
cause the Secretary to prepare a transcript of the recgrd 
of trial, and immediately transmit it to the Grand Secre- 
tary, together with information of the appeal intended, 
if any there be. 

ARTICLE XXV. 

OF REVISIONS AND RESTORATIONS. 

Section 1. All judgment from which an appeal may 
be taken, as hereinbefore provided, shall be reviewed in 
the Grand Chapter, or before a committee thereof, dur- 
ing its session, upon the record sent up, and upon such 
other proper documents as may be submitted ; and its 
decision shall be final and conclusive. 

Sec. 2. All sentences of suspension shall be for an 
indefinite period ; and a Chapter may, at any stated meet- 
ing, by the votes of two-thirds of the members present, 
annul any such sentence of suspension pronounced by 
itself, and restore the Mason thus suspended to all his 
Masonic rights ; provided, that a notice of a resolution 
for such restoration shall have been given at the stated 
meeting next preceding. And in case of such restora- 
tion, the Secretary shall at once notify the Grand Secre- 
tary thereof. 

Sec. 3. The Grand Chapter may, at any annual convoca- 
tion, if good cause therefor be shown, restore a Mason who 
has been suspended or expelled within its jurisdiction ; 
but such restoration shall not restore him to membership 
in the Chapter by which he was suspended or expelled. 

Sec. 4. No suspension, expulsion, or restoration shall 
be published otherwise than as hereinbefore provided, 
except by authority of the Grand Chapter, or by order 
of the Grand High Priest. 



180 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 



Of Amendments and Obligations of Office. 
ARTICLE XXVI. 

OF AMENDMENTS. 

Section 1. This Constitution may be altered or 
amended at any annual convocation of the Grrand Chap- 
ter by a vote of two-thirds of the members present ; 
but no alteration or amendment shall be acted upon until 
after its reference to the Committee on Jurisprudence, 
who shall report thereon as soon as practicable. 

ARTICLE XXVII. 

OF obligations OF OFFICE. 

Section 1. All officers of the G-rand Chapter and of 
its subordinates, before entering upon the duties of their 
respective stations, shall . take a solemn obligation that 
they will maintain and support the Constitution and 
Regulations of the General Grand Chapter of the United 
States of America, and of the Grand Chapter of the State 
of California. 



GENERAL REGULATIONS. 



1. The Degree of Past Master must be conferred upon 
all candidates who have previously had the degree con- 
ferred upon them in a convocation of Past Masters, by 
virtue of an election to preside over a Lodge of Free and 
Accepted Masons. 

2. All the Chapters under this jurisdiction are re- 
quired, in the conferring of degrees, to conform to the 
ritual adopted by the Grand Chapter, at its special con- 
vocation in September, 1855. 

3. Every Mark Master attached to a Chapter under 



GENERAL REGULATIONS. 181 

this jurisdiction, must, Avithin six months after his admis- 
sion, select his Mark, and record the same in a Book of, 
Marks, kept b}^ the Chapter for that purpose ; and it is 
made the special duty of the Secretary of each Chapter 
to see that this regulation is complied with. 

4. The term " nearest Chapter," used in the Consti- 
tution, means the nearest by geographical measurement. 

5. No Masonic communication shall he held with a 
Royal Arch Mason who stands suspended as a Master 
Mason, for any cause. 

6. Each Chapter under this jurisdiction shall pay, 
in addition to its annual dues, the sum of one dollar for 
each Royal Arch Mason borne upon its roll at the date 
of its annual report, which additional assessment shall be 
used as a fund to defray the actual expenses of one dele- 
gate from each Chapter represented at the annual con- 
vocations of the Grand Chapter, the same to be appor- 
tioned by a special committee appointed for that purpose. 

7. Whenever two or more Chapters exist in any city 
or town within this jurisdiction, it shall be the duty of 
such Chapters to notify the other or others existing in 
the same place of all applications presented to it for the 
degrees. 



EULES OP OEDEK 



K^n& €iltaptf« 0i ^^AUfatnim, 



1 

Rule 1. When the Grand Chapter shall have assem- 
bled, the Grand Secretary shall call the roll of its mem- 
bers, and if a sufficient number of Chapters are repre- 
sented, the Grand Chapter shall be opened. The Grand 
High Priest shall then appoint a Committee on Creden- 
tials, and no further business shall be transacted until 
after its report shall have been received. 

Rule 2. After the reception of the report on Cre- 
dentials, the proceedings of the preceding convocation 
shall be read by the Grand Secretary, unless their read- 
ing be dispensed with ; the address of the Grand High 
Priest, and the reports of the Deputy Grand High 
Priest, Grand Secretary, and Grand Treasurer, shall be 
presented, and appropriately referred, in the order here 
named ; and the Grand High Priest shall appoint the 
regular committees, to whom all papers then in the hands 
of the Grand Secretary requiring such reference, shall 
be at once referred. The Committee on Correspondence 
shall then present its annual report. 

Rule 3. After the business of the convocation is thus 
begun, the regular order for each session, during its con- 
tinuance, shall be as follows : 

1. Reading of the minutes of the last session. 

2. Report of the Committee on Credentials. 



RULES OF ORDER OF THE M.'.E. '.GRAND CHAPTER. 183 

3. Reception and action upon, or, reference of peti- 
tions, memorials, and appeals. 

4. Reports of regular and special committees, and ac- 
tion thereupon. 

5. Motions, resolutions, and other business. 

Rule 4. All reports submitted, all petitions, memo- 
rials, or appeals presented, and all orders, motions, or 
resolutions, shall be in writing, and shall be read by the 
Grand Secretary, before any action is taken thereupon. 

Rule 5. No motion to reconsider shall be entertained, 
unless made during the same session when the question 
proposed to be reconsidered was decided, nor unless such 
motion be made by one who voted with the majority upon 
that question. 

Rule 6. When a day and hour shall have been named 
for the election of G-rand Officers, such election shall, at 
that time, take precedence of all other business, unless 
the Grand Chapter, by a two-thirds vote, shall otherwise 
direct. 

Rule 1. These rules shall only be suspended by unan- 
imous consent, but may at any time be amended by a vote 
of two-thirds of the members present. 



184 



THE CALIFOENIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 



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24 



GKAND OFFICEES 

ELECTED SINCE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE GRAND CHAP- 
TER OF CALIFORNIA, JULY 28th, A.L 2384. 



/ 

1854. 

Charles M. Radcliff Grand High Priest, 

John D. Creigh Deputy Grand High Priest, 

A. B. Hoy Grand King, 

Hugh G. Platt Grand Scribe. 

1855. 

John Dunbar Creigh Grand High Priest, 

Isaac Davis Deputy Grand High Priest, 

William W. Traylor Grand King, 

Leverett Bradley Grand Scribe. 

1856. 

Orange H. Dibble Grand High Priest, 

William W. Traylor Deputy Grand High Priest, 

Whiting G. West Grand King, 

James A. Jackson Grand Scribe. 

1857. 

William W. Traylor Grand High Priest, 

Thomas H. Caswell Deputy Grand High Priest, 

Whiting G. West Grand King, 

James A. Jackson Grand Scribe. 



LIST OF GRAND OFFICERS. 187 

1858. 

Thomas H. Caswell Grand High Priest, 

Whiting G. West Deputy Grand High Priest, 

James A. Jackson Grand King, 

Henry Hare Hartley Grand Scribe. 

1859. 

Whiting G. West Grand High Priest, 

Henry Hare Hartley Deputy Grand High Priest, 

Aaron D. Park Grand King, 

Lewis Reynolds Grand Scribe. 

i860. 

Henry Hare Hartley Grand High Priest, 

Adolphus Hollub Deputy Grand High Priest, 

James W. Bicknell Grand King, 

Ezra Howard Yan Decar Grand Scribe. 

1861. 

Henry Hare Hartley Grand High Priest, 

Adolphus Hollub Deputy Grand High Priest, 

Ezra Howard Yan Decar Grand King, 

John Kirkpatrick Grand Scribe. 

1862. 

Adolphus Hollub , Grand High Priest, 

Ezra H. Yan Decar Deputy Grand High Priest, 

John Kirkpatrick ^ Grand King, 

Charles Marsh Grand Scribe. 

1863. 

Ezra Howard Yan Decar Grand High Priest, 

John Kirkpatrick Deputy Grand High Priest, 

Charles Marsh Grand King, 

William A. Davies Grand Scribe. 



188 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

1864. 

Isaac Dayis Grand High Priest, 

John Kirkpatrick Deputy Grand High Priest, 

Charles Marsh Grand King, 

William A. Davies Grand Scribe. 

1865. 

John Kirkpatrick Grand High Priest, 

Charles Marsh Deputy Grand High Priest, 

William A. Davies Grand King, 

Isaac S. Titus '... . Grand Scribe. 

1866. 

Charles Marsh. Grand High Priest, 

William A. Davies Deputy Grand High Priest, 

Isaac S. Titus Grand King, 

John W. Harville Grand Scribe. 



GRAND COUNCIL 



ROYAL AID SELECT MASTERS. 



/ 



CONSTITUTION 



M.-. P. -.GRAND COUNCIL 



0pl itttd ^tUti "^uUv^, 



OF THE 



STATE OF CALIFORNIA, 



AS REVISED AND ADOPTED MAY, A. DEP. 2862. 



Relative to the Grand Council. 
ARTICLE I. 

OF ITS TITLE AND SEAL. 

Section 1. This body shall be entitled "The Grand 
Council op Royal and Select Masters of the State 
OF California," and shall have a Seal, bearing suitable 
devices and inscriptions, which shall be affixed to all 
instruments issued by or under its authority. 

ARTICLE II. 

OF ITS OFFICERS AND MEMBERS. 

Section 1. The Grand Council shall be composed of 



192 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

a Grand Master, a Deputy Grand Master, a Grand Illus- 
trious Master, a Grand Principal Conductor of the Works, 
a Grand Treasurer, a Grand Recorder, a Grand Captain 
of the Guard, a Grand Chaplain, a Grand Steward, a 
Grand Sentinel ; all Past Grand Masters, Past Deputy 
Grand Masters, Past Grand Illustrious Masters, Past 
Grand Principal Conductors of the Work ; all Thrice 
Illustrious Masters, Deputy Illustrious Masters, and Prin- 
cipal Conductors of the Work for the time being, of the 
several Councils under its jurisdiction, and all Past Thrice 
Illustrious Masters of such Councils, so long as all such 
officers and past officers remain members of any Council 
under the jurisdiction of the Grand Council. 

ARTICLE III. 

OF ITS POWERS AND AUTHORITY. 

Section 1. This Grand Council has the sole govern- 
ment and superintendence of all Councils under its juris- 
diction, with authority to settle all controversies that may 
arise between them, to assign their limits, to prescribe 
laws and regulations for their government, and to re- 
view, confirm, or annul their decisions. 

Sec. 2. It shall have power to grant dispensations 
and charters for holding regular Councils within the 
State of California, or in any other State or Territory in 
which there is no Grand Council established, and may 
revoke, suspend, or annul the same. 

Sec. 3. It may assess and collect from the several 
Councils under its jurisdiction such sums of money, annu- 
ally, as may be found necessary for its maintenance and 
support. 

ARTICLE IV. 

OF ITS ASSEMBLIES. 

Section 1. The Grand Council shall hold its Annual 
Assemblies at the same place in which the Grand Chap- 
ter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of California shall 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.P.'.GRAND COUNCIL. 193 

annually convene, and on the day preceding such Annual 
Convocation. Special Assemblies maybe ordered by the 
Grand Master, at his discretion, or whenever desired by 
a majority of the Councils under this jurisdiction ; but 
no business shall be transacted thereat other than that 
specified in such order. 

ARTICLE V. 

OF ITS ELECTIONS. 

Section 1. The first six officers of the Grand Council 
shall be chosen by ballot at each Annual Assembly : shall 
be duly installed before the close thereof : and shall hold 
their respective offices until their successors are elected 
and installed. A majority of all the votes cast shall be 
necessary for a choice. The remaining officers shall be 
appointed by the Grand Master. Any vacancy in office 
occurring when the Grand Council is not in session may 
be filled by the Grand Master ; and the officer so ap- 
pointed shall possess all the powers and be charged with 
all the duties of one regularly elected. 

ARTICLE VI. 

OF PROXIES. 

Section 1. Each Thrice Illustrious Master, Deputy Il- 
lustrious Master, and Principal Conductor of the Works 
of the Subordinate Councils under this jurisdiction, may 
appear and vote by proxy, but such proxy must be a 
member of the same Council with his principal. 

ARTICLE VII. 

OF VOTING. 

Section 1. Each member of the Grand Council pres- 
ent shall be entitled to one vote, and all questions shall 
be determined by a majority of votes. In all cases of a 
tie vote, except votes by ballot, the Grand Master, in ad- 
dition to his proper vote, may have the casting vote. 
25 



194 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

ARTICLE VIIL 

OF REVENUE. 

Section 1. The revenue of the Glrand Council shall 
be derived from the following sources : 

For every dispensation to form a new Council, the sum 
of seventy-five dollars, of which ten dollars shall be the 
fee of the Grand Recorder ; 

For every charter to perpetuate a new Council, the 
sum of twenty-five dollars, of which five dollars shall be 
the fee of the Grand Recorder ; 

For each companion received and greeted, the sum of 
fifty cents ; and 

For each member borne upon the rolls of the subordi- 
nate Councils at the date of their annual returns, the 
sum of fifty cents. 

ARTICLE IX. 

OF c ommittees. 
Section 1. The following regular committees, to con- 
sist of three members each, shall be appointed by the 
Grand Master at each Annual Assembly, viz. : On Cre- 
dentials, on Reports of the Grand Officers, on Appeals 
and Grievances, on Finances and Returns, and on New 
Councils. 



Of the Grand Offi cer s . 
ARTICLE X. 

OF THE GRAND MASTER. 

Section 1 . The Grand Master shall have power, w^hen 
the Grand Council is not in session, to issue dispensations 
for the formation of new Councils, and shall, either in 
person or by proxy, constitute all new Councils, when 
chartered, and install their officers. He may visit and 
preside in any Council within his jurisdiction, inspect its 



CONSTITUTION OP THE M/. P. -.GRAND COUNCIL. 195 

proceedings, and require its conformity to Masonic rule ; 
and, during the recess of the Grand Council, may exer- 
cise all its executive functions. 

ARTICLE XI. 

OF THE DEPUTY GRAND MASTER, THE GRAND ILLUSTRIOUS 
MASTER, AND THE GRAND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR OF THE 
WORKS. 

Section 1. In case of the death of the Grand Master, 
his absence from the State, or of his inability from any 
cause to perform the functions of his office, the Deputy 
Grand Master, the Grand Illustrious Master, and the 
Grand Principal Conductor of the Works, shall, in the 
order of their rank, succeed to and be charged with all 
the duties of that office. 

ARTICLE XII. 

OF THE GRAND TREASURER. 

Section 1. The Grand Treasurer shall receive all 
moneys belonging to the Grand Council from the Grand 
Recorder, and shall pay the same out under such regula- 
tions as by it may be provided. He shall keep a just ac- 
count thereof in proper books, and at each Annual As- 
sembly shall present a detailed statement of his receipts 
and disbursements, together with vouchers for the last, 
and a full statement of the existing condition of the 
finances. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

OF THE GRAND RECORDER. 

Section 1. The Grand Recorder shall keep an accu- 
rate record of all the transactions of the Grand Council 
which should be written. He shall collect the revenue, 
and pay it over to the Grand Treasurer. He shall pre- 
sent a detailed report of his receipts and of all business 
appertaining to his office, at each Annual Assembly. He 
shall keep the Seal of the Grand Council, and shall affix 
it with his attestation, to all instruments emanating from 



196 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

that body, and to all dispensations issued by the Grand 
Master. He shall report at each Annual Assembly all 
unfinished business ; shall conduct the correspondence 
of the Grand Council ; and shall perform such other du- 
ties as may be assigned him by the Grand Council or 
Grand Master. He shall receive such compensation for 
his services as the Grand Council may direct. 



Of Subordinate Councils. 
ARTICLE XIV. 

OF THEIR FORMATION. 

Section 1. Upon the petition of nine or more Royal 
Select Masters, in good standing, the Grand Council, or 
the Grand Master, may issue a Letter of Dispensation, 
authorizing them to form and open a Council of Royal 
and Select Masters, and to hold the same until the next 
Annual Assembly. But no such dispensation shall issue 
unless the petition be accompanied by a recommendation 
from the Council nearest or most convenient to the loca- 
tion of the proposed new one, which shall certify to the 
good standing of each of the petitioners, to the proper 
qualifications of the officers whom they have nominated, 
and that a suitable place of assembling has been pro- 
vided. The dispensation, thus issued, shall be returned 
at the next Annual Assembly, together with the Book of 
Records, By-laws, and Returns, when, if the transactions 
of the New Council shall appear satisfactory, it may, 
upon petition, receive a charter. 

Sec. 2. A Council shall consist of a Thrice Illustri- 
ous Master, a Deputy Illustrious Master, a Principal 
Conductor of the Works, a Treasurer, a Recoisder, a 
Captain of the Guards, a Conductor, a Marshal, a Stew- 
ard, a Sentinel, and as many members as may be found 
convenient. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE M/.P.'.GRAND COUNCIL. 197 

ARTICLE XV. 

OF THEIR DUTIES. 

Section 1. Each Council shall hold a stated assembly 
at least once in each month for the transaction of its reg- 
ular business. Special meetings may be ordered by the 
Thrice Illustrious Master, at his discretion. A failure to 
assemble for six successive months shall be deemed suf- 
ficient cause for the arrest or revocation of the charter. 

Sec. 2. The first five officers of each Council shall be 
chosen by ballot at the stated meeting next preceding 
the Anniversary of St. John the Evangelist, and shall be 
installed as soon thereafter as convenient. A majority 
of all the votes cast shall be necessary for a choice. 
The other officers shall be appointed by the Thrice Il- 
lustrious Master. 

Sec. 3. The returns of each Council shall be made 
up to and including the last day of February in each 
year, and shall be forwarded within fifteen days there- 
after, with the annual dues, to the G-rand Recorder. 

Sec. 4. The returns to the Grand Council shall con- 
tain the names of all the members, alphabetically ar- 
ranged, the names of the Lodges and Chapters of which 
they may be members, the names of the Councils to 
which those who have affiliated during the year last be- 
longed, and such other particulars as may be prescribed 
by the Grand Recorder. 

ARTICLE XVI. 

OF FEES AND DUES. 

Section 1. No Council under this jurisdiction shall 
confer the degrees for a less sum than fifteen dollars, 
w^hich fee must invariably accompany the petition. The 
dues of the members of each Council shall be such as 
may be provided in its By-laws, and the non-payment of 
such dues for a period of twelve months, unless a good 
reason therefor be shown, shall be punished by suspen- 
sion. 



198 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

ARTICLE XVII. 

OF PROHIBITIONS. 

Section 1. No Council shall confer the degrees of 
Royal and Select Master upon an}^ one who is not a 
Royal Arch Mason in good standing. 

Sec. 2. There shall not be a greater number of Coun- 
cils established in this State than there are Royal Arch 
Chapters, nor more than one Council within the jurisdic- 
tion of a Chapter. / 

ARTICLE XYIIL 

OP truls and appeals. 
Section 1. The mode of proceeding in all trials, shall, 
as nearly as may be, be that which is now or may here- 
after be prescribed in the Regulations of the Grand 
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of this State ; and 
appeals from the results of such trials may, in like man- 
ner as is directed by the Grand Lodge, be made to and 
adjudicated by the Grand Council. 

ARTICLE XIX. 

Section 1. This Constitution may be altered or amend- 
ed at any Annual Assembly by the votes of two-thirds of 
the members present. 



LIST OF SUBORDINATE COUNCILS. 



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GRAND COMMANDERY 



OF 



KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. 



STATUTES 



^xmA (^mmmAix^ of ^wxqW ©mplat;, 



STATE OF CALIFORNIA. 



CHAPTER I. 

RELATIVE TO THE GRAND COMMANDERY. 
I. 
Of its Title and Seal. 
This body shall be entitled " The Grand Commandery 
OF Knights Templar of the State of California"; and 
shall have a Seal, bearing suitable devices and inscrip- 
tions, which shall be affixed to all instruments issued by 
or under its authority. 

II. 
Of its Officers and Members, 
The Grand Commandery shall be composed of a Grand 
Commander (whose address is Bight Eminent) ; a Dep- 
uty Grand Commander (whose address is Very Eminent) ; 
a Grand Generalissimo ; a Grand Captain General ; a 
Grand Prelate ; a Grand Senior Warden ; a Grand Jun- 
ior Warden ; a Grand Treasurer ; a Grand Recorder ; a 



204 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Grand Standard Bearer ; a Grand Sword Bearer ; a 
Grand Warder (whose several addresses are Eminent) ; 
a Grand Captain of the Guards (the Sentinel) ; all Past 
Grand Commanders, Past Deputy Grand Commanders, 
Past Grand Generalissimos, and Past Grand Captains 
General of this Grand Commandery ; all Past Command- 
ers, by service, of chartered Commanderies under its 
jurisdiction; and the Commanders, Generalissimos, and 
Captains General, for the time, of the several chartered 
and duly constituted Commanderies subordinate thereto. 

III. 

Of Qualifications for Office or Membership. 

Every officer and member of the Grand Commandery 
must be a member of some Commandery under its juris- 
diction ; and with the suspension or cessation of such 
membership, shall cease his office and membership in 
the Grand Commandery. 

IV. 

Of its Powers and Authority. 

The Grand Commandery derives all its powers from 
the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the 
United States of America, to the Constitution and Reg- 
ulations of which its obedience is ever due. Under 
these powers it has authority over all Commanderies 
and Knights Templar within the State of California. 
It may grant Dispensations and Charters for forming 
and holding Commanderies therein, and, at its pleasure, 
may arrest, suspend, or revoke them. It may enact such 
statutes and pass such orders, for its own government 
and for that of its subordinates and the Knights within 
its jurisdiction, as shall not conflict with the Constitution 
and Regulations of the Grand Encampment ; may alter, 
amend, or annul the same ; and may exercise all other 
authority which shall be deemed necessary for the good 



STATUTES OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY. 205 

of the Order in this State, and which shall be in con- 
formity with its precepts and the Constitution and Reg- 
ulations of the Grand Encampment. 



Of its Conclaves. 

The Grand Commandery shall hold an Annual Con- 
clave, for the transaction of its regular business, at the 
City of San Francisco, commencing on the second Tues- 
day in November, at 10 o'clock, a.m. Special Conclaves 
may be ordered by the Grand Commander, at his discre- 
tion, but no business shall be transacted thereat other 
than that specified in such order. 

VI. 

Of its Elections. 

The officers of the Grand Commandery shall be chosen 
by ballot at each Annual Conclave ; shall be duly installed 
before the close thereof ; and shall hold their respective 
offices (except as hereinbefore provided) until their suc- 
cessors are elected and installed. A majority of all the 
votes cast shall be necessary for a choice. Any vacancy 
in office occurring when the Grand Commandery is not 
in Conclave, may be filled by the Grand Commander ; 
and the officer so appointed shall possess all the pow- 
ers and be charged with all the duties of one regularly 
elected. 

VII. 

Of Proxies. 

Any member of the Grand Commandery, except Past 
Commanders and the Grand Captain of the Guards, may 
appear and vote by proxy ; but such proxy must, at the 
time of service, be a member of the same Commandery 
as his principal, and must present a properly authentica- 
ted certificate of his appointment. 



206 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

VIII. 

Of Voting. 

Each member of the Grand Commandery present shall 
be entitled to one vote, and all questions shall be deter- 
mined by a majority of votes. In case the votes are 
equally divided, the Grand Commander, in addition to 
his proper vote, shall giA^e the casting vote. 

IX. 

Of Revenue. 

The revenue of the Grand Commandery shall be de- 
rived from fees charged for Dispensations, Charters, 
Diplomas, and other instruments issued under its author- 
ity, as follows : 

1. For a Dispensation, one hundred and twenty-five 
dollars, of which fifteen dollars shall be the fee of the 
Grand Recorder : 

2. For a Charter, seventy-five dollars, of which fifteen 
dollars shall be the fee of the Grand Recorder : 

3. For a Diploma, five dollars, of which three dollars 
shall be the fee of the Grand Recorder : 

And from the following contributions levied upon the 
several Commanderies — 

1. For each Order of the Red Cross conferred, two 
dollars : 

2. For each Order of the Temple conferred, three dol- 
lars : 

3. For each Knight Templar borne upon the rolls at 
the date of the annual returns, one dollar. 

X. 

Of Committees. 

The following regular committees, to consist of three 
members each, shall be appointed by the Grand Com- 
mander at each Annual Conclave, viz. : On Credentials, 



STATUTES OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY. 207 

on Reports of the Grand Officers, on Appeals and Griev- 
ances, on Finances and Accounts, on New Commanderies, 
and on Returns of Subordinates. The Grand Commander 
may also appoint such special committees, at any Con- 
clave, as may be deemed expedient by the Grand Com- 
mandery. 



CHAPTER II. 

RELATIVE TO THE GRAND OFFICERS. 

XI. 

Of the Grand Commander. 

The Grand Commander shall, at each Annual Conclave, 
present a written report of all his official acts during 
the year, and of the condition of the Order within his 
jurisdiction, together with such recommendations as he 
shall deem conducive to its prosperity and advancement. 
He shall have a watchful supervision over the subordi- 
nate Commanderies, and shall carefully see that the Con- 
stitution and Regulations of the Grand Encampment, 
and the Statutes and Orders of the Grand Commandery, 
are duly and promptly observed. He shall have power, 
when the Grand Commandery is not in conclave, to issue 
Dispensations for the formation of new Commanderies, 
as hereinafter provided ; and shall, either in person or 
by proxy, constitute all new Commanderies, when char- 
tered, and install their officers. He may, for good reasons 
shown, issue Special Dispensations to Commanderies, au- 
thorizing them to hold elections of officers at times other 
than that named in the twentieth of these Statutes ; to re- 
ceive and act again upon the petitions of rejected appli- 
cants for the Orders of Knighthood, within a less period 
than the twelve months prescribed in the twenty-second 
of these Statutes ; to ballot for and confer the orders upon 
candidates, without the reference of their petitions to 
committees ; and to do such other things, not specifically 



208 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

provided for, as shall not be repugnant to or inconsistent 
with the general regulations of the Order. He may order 
Special Conclaves, at his discretion,*specifying the object 
thereof. He may visit and preside in any Commandery 
within his jurisdiction, and give such orders and instruc- 
tions as he may deem necessary, and as shall not be in- 
consistent with the enactments of the Grand Encamp- 
ment and Grand Commandery. He may arrest the 
Charter or Dispensation of any Commandery for good 
reasons shown, and for proper cause may suspend any 
Commander from the functions of his office until the next 
Annual Conclave. It shall be his duty, either in person 
or by proxy, to attend all meetings of the Grand En- 
campment ; and there shall be no appeal to the Grand 
Commandery from his decisions. 

XII. 
Of the Deputy Grand Commander. 

The Deputy Grand Commander, in the absence of the 
Grand Commander from any conclave, shall take com- 
mand ; and, in the event of the death, absence from the 
State, or inability to serve, from any cause, of the Grand 
Commander, he shall succeed to and be charged with all 
the powers and duties of that officer. At all other times 
he shall perform such duties as may be assigned him by 
the Grand Commandery or Grand Commander ; and he 
is required, either in person or by proxy, to attend all 
meetings of the Grand Encampment. 

XIII. 

Of the Grand Generalissimo and the Grand Captain General. 

The Grand Generalissimo and Grand Captain General, 
in the absence of their superiors from any conclave, 
shall severally take command, in the order of their rank ; 
and in the event of the death, removal from the State, 
or inability to serve, from any cause, of their superiors. 



STATUTES OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY. 209 

shall in like manner succeed to and be charged with all 
the powers and duties of the Grand Commander. At 
all other times they shall perform such duties as may be 
assigned them by the Grand Commandery or Grand 
Commander ; and they are required, either in person or 
by proxy, to attend all meetings of the Grand Encamp- 
ment. 

Of the Grand Treasurer. 

The Grand Treasurer shall receive all moneys belong- 
ing to the Grand Commandery from the Grand Recorder, 
and shall pay the same out under such regulations as by 
it may be provided. He shall keep a just record thereof 
in proper books, and at each Annual Conclave shall pre- 
sent a detailed account of his receipts and disbursements, 
together with vouchers for the last, and a full statement 
of the existing condition of the finances. He shall exe- 
cute and file with the Grand Recorder, within fifteen 
days after his installation, a bond, in such terms, in such 
penal sum, and with such sureties, as shall be approved 
by the Grand Commander, conditioned that he will faith- 
fully discharge the duties of his office. 

XV. 

Of the Grand Recorder. 

The Grand Recorder shall keep an accurate record of 
all the transactions of the Grand Commandery, which 
should be written. He shall collect the revenue, and 
pay it over to the Grand Treasurer. He shall present a 
detailed report of his receipts, and of all business apper- 
taining to his office, at each Annual Conclave. He shall, 
as soon as practicable, after each Annual Conclave, trans- 
mit copies of the transactions thereat to the Grand Mas- 
ter of the Order, the Grand Recorder of the Grand 
Encampment, the Grand Recorders of the several Grand 
Commanderies under the jurisdiction of that body, and 
27 



210 THE CALIFORNIA, DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

the Recorders of the several Commanderies within this 
jurisdiction. He shall keep the Seal of the Grand Com- 
mandery, and shall affix it, with his attestation, to all 
instruments emanating from that body, and to all Dis- 
pensations issued by the Grand Commander. He shall 
conduct the correspondence of the Grand Commandery, 
and shall present at each Annual Conclave a summary 
of such proceedings of other Grand Commanderies as 
may have come into his possession. He shall report at 
each Annual Conclave all unfinished business, and shall 
perform such other duties as may be assigned him by 
the Grand Commandery or Grand Commander. He 
shall receive such compensation for his services as the 
Grand Commandery may direct ; and shall execute and 
file with the Grand Treasurer, within fifteen days after 
his installation, a bond, in such terms, in such penal 
sum, and with such sureties, as shall be approved by the 
Grand Commander, conditioned that he will faithfully 
discharge the duties of his office. 

XVI. 

Of the other Grand Officers. 

The duties of the remaining Grand Officers shall be 
such as traditionally appertain to their respective sta- 
tions, and shall correspond, as nearly as may be, to those 
of the officers of similar rank in the Grand Encampment. 
In case all the four principal Grand Officers shall be ab- 
sent from any conclave, the Past Grand Officers of like 
rank, shall, in the order of their rank and seniority, be 
empowered to take command. 



STATUTES OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY. 211 

CHAPTER III. 

RELATIVE TO SUBORDINATE COMMANDERIES. 

XVII. 

Of their Formation. 

Upon the petition of nine or more Knights Templar, 
in good standing, the Grand Commandery, or the Grand 
Commander, may issue a Letter of Dispensation, author- 
izing them to form and open a Commandery of Knights 
Templar, and to hold the same until the next Annual 
Conclave. But no such dispensation shall issue unless 
the petition be accompanied by a recommendation from 
the Commandery nearest the location of the proposed 
new one, which shall certify to the good standing of each 
of the petitioners, to the proper qualifications of the 
officers whom they have nominated, and that a suitable 
place of assembling has been provided. The dispensa- 
tion, thus issued, shall be returned at the next Annual 
Conclave, together with the Books of Records, By-laws, 
and Returns, when, if the transactions of the new Com- 
mandery shall appear satisfactory, it may, upon petition, 
receive a Charter. 

XVIII. 

Of whom Composed. 

A Commandery consists of a Commander (whose ad- 
dress is Eminent)^ a Generalissimo, a Captain General, a 
Prelate, a Senior Warden, a Junior Warden, a Treasurer, 
a Recorder, a Standard Bearer, a Sword Bearer, a Warder, 
a Captain of the Guards (the Sentinel), three Guards, 
and as many members as may be found convenient for 
work or discipline. 

XIX. 

Of Assemblies. 

Each Commandery should hold a stated Assembly at 
least once in each month, for the transaction of its reg- 



212 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

ular business. Special meetings may be ordered by the 
Commander, at his discretion, but no business shall be 
done thereat other than that specified in the order. A 
failure to assemble for six successive months, shall be 
deemed sufficient cause for the arrest or revocation of 
its Charter. 

XX. 

Of Elections. 

The officers of each Commandery (except the Sentinel 
and Guards, who shall be appointed by the Commander), 
shall be chosen by ballot at the first stated Assembly in 
the month of March in each year, and shall be installed 
before or at the next stated Assembly. A majority of 
all the votes cast shall be necessary for a choice. 

XXI. 
Of Voting. 

All questions in a Commandery shall be determined 
by a majority of votes. Each member present shall be 
entitled to one vote, and when the votes are equally 
divided (except in elections), the Commander shall, in 
addition, have the casting vote. 

XXII. 
Of Qualifications for the Order. 

No Commandery shall confer an Order of Knighthood 
upon any one who is not a regular oyal Arch Mason, 
according to the requirements of the General Grand 
Chapter of the United States of America, nor unless he 
shall have produced evidence of his good standing at 
the time of application ; and no application for the 
Orders shall be received by any Commandery, from one 
who within twelve months next preceding shall have 
been rejected by any Commandery (unless by dispensa- 
tion from the Grand Commander), nor unless the appli- 
cant shall have resided one year next preceding in this 



STATUTES OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY. 213 

State, and three months next preceding within its juris- 
diction, except by permission of the Commandery near- 
est his place of residence. 

XXIII. 

Of Fees and Dues. 

No Commandery shall confer the several Orders of 
Knighthood for a less fee than sixty dollars, and no appli- 
cation therefor shall be received unless accompanied by 
such fee. The dues of the members of each Command- 
ery shall be such as may be provided in its By-laws, and 
the non-payment of such dues for a period of six months, 
unless good reason therefor be shown, shall be punished 
by suspension. 

XXIV. 

Of the Commander. 

Each Commander has it in special charge to see that 
the By-laws of his Commandery, the Statutes and Orders 
of the Grand Commandery, and the Constitution and Reg- 
ulations of the Grand Encampment, are duly observed 
by the Knights under his command ; that accurate rec- 
ords are kept, and just accounts and proper reports 
rendered by his officers ; and that regular returns are 
annually made to the Grand Commandery at the time 
prescribed therefor, with prompt payment of the annual 
dues. From his decisions there shall be no appeal to 
the Commandery, but any five members thereof may 
complain of his decisions or conduct to the Grand Com- 
mandery or Grand Commander. It shall be his duty, 
either in person or by proxy, to attend all conclaves of 
the Grand Commandery. 

XXV. 
Of the Generalissimo and Captain General. 

The Generalissimo and Captain General shall perform 
the duties severally assigned them by the traditional 



214 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

usages of the Order ; and, in the absence of the Com- 
mander, shall, in the order of their rank, succeed to and 
be charged with all his powers and duties. It shall be 
the duty of both, either in person or by proxy, to attend 
all Conclaves of the Grand Commandery. In the absence 
of all the three principal officers, the Past CommanderSj 
in the order of their seniority, may take command. 

XXVI. 
Of the Treasurer and Recorder. 

The Treasurer shall receive from the Recorder and 
safely keep all moneys belonging to the Commandery ; 
and shall pay the same out under such regulations, and 
account therefor at such times and in such manner, as 
by it may be prescribed. The Recorder shall keep an 
accurate record of all the transactions of the Command- 
ery, which should be written, including a list of the offi- 
cers, members, and visitors present at each Assembly ; 
shall collect the revenue and pay it over to the Treas- 
urer ; shall keep correct accounts of the dues of mem- 
bers ; shall prepare and transmit the annual returns to 
the Grand Recorder ; shall keep the seal of the Com- 
mandery, and affix it to all documents emanating there- 
from ; and shall perform such other duties as may be 
required of him by the Commandery or Commander. 

XXVII. 
Of Beturns. 

The returns of each Commandery shall be made up to 
the first day of October in each year, in such form as 
shall be prescribed by the Grand Commandery ; and 
shall immediately be forwarded to the Grand Recorder, 
with the dues as hereinbefore provided. 



STATUTES OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY. 215 

CHAPTER TV. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

XXVIII. 

Trials and Appeals. 

The mode of proceeding in all trials shall, as nearl}^ as 
may be, be that which is now or may hereafter be pre- 
scribed in the Regulations of the Grand Lodge of Free 
and Accepted Masons of this State ; and appeals from 
the results of such trials may, in like manner as is di- 
rected by the Grand Lodge, be made to and adjudicated 
by the Grand Commandery. 

XXIX. 

Of Penalties. 

Censure, suspension, or expulsion may be inflicted by 
any Commandery upon any Knight within its jurisdic- 
tion, for unknightly conduct or for violation of or dis- 
obedience to any of the By-laws, Statutes, Orders, Reg- 
ulations, or Constitutions of the Order. Information of 
a suspension or expulsion by any Commandery, shall 
immediately be communicated by its Recorder to the 
Recorder of each other Commandery in the State, and to 
the Grand Recorder ; but no publication thereof shall be 
made except by the Grand Commandery. Suspension 
may be removed by the Commandery which imposed it, 
but an expelled Knight can only be restored by the 
Grand Commandery. 

XXX. 

Of Vows of Office. 

All officers of the Grand Commandery and of its sub- 
ordinates, before entering upon the duties of their re- 
spective stations, shall take a solemn vow that they will 
maintain and support the Constitution and Regulations 



216 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the 
United States of America, and the Statutes and Orders 
of the Grand Oommandery of the State of California. 

XXXI. 
Of Amendments. 

These Statutes may be altered or amended at any 
Annual Conclave by the votes of two-thirds of the mem- 
bers present. 



EULE8 OF OEDEE 

OF THE 



Rule 1. When the Grand Commandery is opened, 
the Grand Recorder shall call the roll of its members, 
and note the names of those who may be present. The 
Grand Commander shall then appoint a Committee on 
Credentials, and no further business shall be transacted 
until after its report shall have been received. 

Rule 2. After the reception of the report on Cre- 
dentials, the proceedings of the preceding Conclave 
shall be read by the Grand Recorder, unless their read- 
ing be dispensed with ; the reports of the Grand Com- 
mander, the Grand Recorder, and the Grand Treasurer, 
shall be presented and appropriately referred, in the 
order here named ; and the Grand Commander shall 
appoint the regular committees, to whom all papers then 
in the hands of the Grand Recorder, requiring such 
reference, shall at once be referred. 

Rule 3. After the business of the Conclave is thus 
begun, the regular order for each session during its con- 
tinuance shall be as follows : 1st. Reading of the minutes 
of the last session ; 2d. Reception and action upon or 
reference of petitions, memorials, and appeals ; 3d. Re- 
ports of regular and special committees, in the order 
named, and action thereupon ; 5th. Motions, resolutions, 
and other business. 

28 



218 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

Rule 4. All reports submitted, all petitions, memo- 
rials, or appeals presented, and all orders, motions, or 
resolutions proposed, shall be in writing, and shall be 
re^d from .the desk of the G-rand Recorder, before any 
action is taken thereupon. 

Rule 5. No member shall be allowed to speak more 
than twice upon the same subject, nor Diore than ten 
minutes at either time, except by special permission of 
the Grand Commandery. 

Rule 6. No motion to reconsider shall be entertained, 
unless made during the same session when the question 
proposed to be reconsidered was decided, nor unless of- 
fered by one who voted with the majority upon that 
question. 

Rule 7. When a day and hour shall have been named 
for the election of Grand Officers, such election shall, at 
that time, take precedence of all other business, unless 
the Grand Commandery, by a two-thirds vote, shall oth- 
erwise direct. 

Rule 8. These rules shall only be suspended by 
unanimous consent, but may at any time be amended by 
a vote of two-thirds of the members present. 



LIST OF COMMANDERIES. 



219 



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GEAND OFFICEES 

ELECTED SINCE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE GRAND COM- 
MANDERY OF CALIFORNIA, AUGUST 10th, A.D. 1858. 



1050. 

Isaac Davis G-rand Commander, 

Leander Ransom Deputy G-rand Commander, 

John S. Ceaham • Grand Generalissimo, 

'Stillman H. Fickett Grand Captain General. 

1859. 

Leander Ransom Grand Commander, 

James Lawrence English . . Deputy Grand Commander, 

John S. Graham Grand Generalissimo, 

Charles Marsh Grand Captain General. 

i860. 

James Lawrence English. Grand Commander, 

Charles Marsh Deputy Grand Commander, 

Aaron D. Park Grand Generalissimo, 

Henry Hare Hartley Grand Captain General. 

1861. 

Alexander Gurdon Abell Grand Commander, 

Charles Marsh Deputy Grand Commander, 

Henry Hare Hartley Grand Generalissimo, 

Isaac S. Titus Grand Captain General. 



LIST OF CxRAND OFFICERS. 221 

1862. 

Cpiarles Marsh Grand Commander, 

Hexry Hare Hartley .... Deputy Grand Commander, 

Isaac S. Titus Grand Generalissimo, 

James Horace Culver Grand Captain General. 

1863. 

Henry Hare Hartley Grand Commander, 

Isaac S. Titus. -. Deputy Grand Commander, 

William Caldwell Belcher .... Grand Generalissimo, 
Reuel C. Gridley Grand Captain General. 

1864. 

William Caldwell Belcher Grand Commander, 

William Mason Rundell . . Deputy Grand Commander, 

Thomas Callow Grand Generalissimo, 

Theodore F. Tracy Grand Captain General. 

1865. 

Henry Holcombe Rhees Grand Commander, 

William Mason Rundell. .Deputy Grand Commander, 

Theodore F. Tracy Grand Generalissimo, 

William Wilson Traylor .... Grand Captain General. 

1866. 

William Mason Rundell Grand Commander, 

Isaac S. Titus Deputy Grand Commander, 

William Wilson Traylor Grand Generalissimo, 

Thomas Hubbard Caswell .... Grajid Captain General. 



I ]srr> E X. 



PAGE. 

By-laws of the Grand Lodge of Califoknia 89 

Uniform code of 84 

Chapters, list of subordinate 184 

CHAEGES OF A FREEMASON 5 

Of behavior after the Lodge is over and the brethren not 

gone 10 

at home, and in your neighborhood 11 

in presence of strangers not Masons 11 

in the Lodge while constituted 9 

toward a strange brother 11 

when brethren meet without strangers, but not 

in a Lodge formed 10 

Of Lodges 6 

Of Masters, Wardens, Fellows, and Apprentices 7 

Of the civil magistrate, supreme and subordinate , 6 

Of the management of the craft in working 8 

Code of Resolutions, Decisions, etc., of the Grand Lodge of Cali- 
fornia , 93 

CoMMANDERiES. list of Subordinate 219 

CoMJiANDERY, Statutes of Grand 201 

CONSTITUTION OF GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH 

MASONS 155 

General Regulations of TkE Grand Chapter 180 

Of amendments aiid obUgailons of office 180 

Of the Gh^and Officers — 

Of the Deputy Grand High Priest 163 

Grand High Priest 162 

King and Grand Scribe 163 

Secretary 164 

Treasurer 163 

Trials, appeals, and penalties — 

Revisions and restorations 179 

Relative to Chapters and members of different Chapters 175 



224 THE CALIFOENIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

PAGE. 

Constitution of Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons (Continued). 

Relative to Grand High Priest 173 

High Priest of Chapters 174 

Royal Arch Masons individually 176 

Organization of the Grand Chapter — 

Of its committees 160 

convocations 158 

elections 159 

members and their qualification 157 

powers and authority , . . . 158 

revenues 161 

title and seal 157 

voting and representation 160 

Belat'we to Subordinate Chapters — 

Dissolution of Chapters 170 

Of their duties 166 

elections 167 

formation 165 

membership 172 

officers 171 

Prohibitions 168 

Rules of Order of the Grand Chapter 182 

CONSTITUTION OF THE GRAND COUNCIL OF ROYAL AND 

SELECT MASTERS 189 

Of the Grand officers — 

Deputy Grand Master 195 

Grand Master 194 

Recorder 195 

Treasurer 195 

Of Subordinate Councils — 

Amendments 198 

Duties 197 

Fees and dues , 197 

Formation 196 

Prohibitions ' 198 

Trials and appeals 198 

Relative to Grand Council — 

Assemblies ". 192 

Committees 194 

Elections 193 

Officers and members 191 

Powers and authority 192 

Proxies 193 

Revenue 194 

Title and seal 191 



INDEX. 225 

PAGE. 

CONSTITUTION OF THE GRAND LODGE.. 27 

Address of officers of the Grand Lodge 28 

Advancement of candidates, objections to 47 

Affiliation, application for, must be accompanied by demit 49 

Amendments to Constitution, relative to 65 

Annual report of a Lodge, form of 77 

Appeal relative to trials of individual Masons 63 

Lodges and members of different 60 

Lodges 60 

Masters of Lodges (Sec. 8) 60 

Appeals 64 

Appointed officers of subordinate Lodges 52 

Appointments, elections and 30 

Grand Master lias power to make, to fill vacan- 
cies 30 

Application, fees must accompany 47 

for affiliation must be accompanied by demit. ... 49 

for membership, form of 74 

Applications must be in writing 47 

to Grand Lodge for restoration, relative to (Gen- 
eral Regulations, Nos. 17, 19, and 20) 82 

Ballot, dispensation to, without reference to committee 47 

elective officers shall be elected by 30 

Master may order a second, when 47 

must be unanimous to elect 47 

one, for the three degrees 47 

secresy of the 57 

Balloting 47 

Burial, no brother who may fall in a duel shall receive Masonic 78 

Business in the Grand Lodge 32 

of a Lodge 44 

must be done in a Lodge of Master Masons 45 

number of members necessary to transact 80 

By-laws, amendments to, must be approved by Grand Lodge . 45 

Lodge shall transmit copies of, to Grand Lodge 45 

Candidates must pass examination in open Lodge 47 

objection to advancement of 47 

qualification of (General Regulation, No. 18) 83 

Ceremony, on occasions of. Grand Master may appoint to fill 

stations 30 

Charter, fee to Grand Lodge for 32 

Secretary for 39 

for a new Lodge may be issued, when 43 

forfeiture of 50 

or arrest of, involves suspension of members 50 
29 



226 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

PAGE. 

Constitution op the Grand Lodge (Continued). 

Charter, forfeiture or arrest of, when declared by Grand Lodge, 

shall be eonclusive 51 

form of petition for 72 

surrender of 50 

Charges may be preferred against Grand Master 57 

individual Masons 61 

Lodges 60 

Master of Lodges 59 

Commissioners on trial of Masters of Lodges 59 

Committees of the Grand Lodge 32 

on applications 47 

regular 32 

relative to payment of chairmen of standing 81 

special 32 

Communications of the Grand Lodge 29 

special, may be ordered by the Grand Master 29 
shall be ordered upon application of 

the Masters of five chartered Lodges 30 

Communications shall be read in open Lodge 46 

Compensation of Grand Officers 42 

Conferring degrees 47 

Constitution, amendments to 65 

of the Grand Lodge of California 27 

Definitions 66 

Degrees, conferring 47 

fees for 47 

must accompany application 47 

form of petition for 73 

Delegates have no vote in Grand Lodge 50 

Lodges under dispensation may send, to Grand 

Lodge 49 

Demission 56 

Deputy Grand Master, powers and duties of 35 

Diploma, form of certificate for 68 

for benefit of family of decead- 

brother 69 

Dispensation, fee to Grand Lodge for 32 

Secretary for 39 

to ballot without reference to committee 47 

receive petition of rejected applicant 47 

Lodges under, may send delegates to Grand 

Lodge , 49 

to elect officers of subordinate Lodges 51 

form a new Lodge, form of petition for. ... 69 

open a new Lodge 43 



INDEX. 227 

PAGE. 

Constitution of the Grand Lodge (Continued). 

Dissolution of Lodges 50 

Dissolved Lodges, disposition of property of 51 

property of, Grand Secretary shall receive . 33 
to be placed with funds of Grand 

Lodge 34 

Dueling, relative to 78 

Dues, non-payment of 47 

to the Grand Lodge 33 

Duties of individual Masons 56 

Election of officers, dispensation for 51 

time of 51 

to fill vacancies 51 

Elections, every member whose dues are paid shall be entitled 

to vote at 52 

in Grand Lodge 30 

Elective ofl&cers of Grand Lodge 30 

subordinate Lodge 51 

Entered Apprentices, names of, shall be returned to the Grand 

Lodge for two years only 80 

striking names of, from the roll does not 

affect their position 80 

Expelled Masons, relative to application to Grand Lodge for 

restoration of 82 

Expulsion, definition of 68 

form of notice of - 75 

Fees charged by Grand Lodge for dispensations, charters, etc. 32 
Secretary for dispensations, charters, 

etc 39 

for degrees 47 

must accompany application 47 

Fellow-Crafts, names of, shall be returned to Grand Lodge for 

two years only 80 

stricken from, the roll, does not affect their po- 
sition 80 

Form of annual report of a Lodge 77 

application for membership 74 

certificate for a diploma 68 

for the benefit of the family of 

a deceased brother 69 

Form of certificate of election of officers of subordinate Lodges 75 
the qualification of the Master proposed 

for a new Lodge 71 

credential for a representative elected by a Lodge . . 73 

notice of expulsion 75 

rejection 75 



228 THE CALIFOENIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

PAGE. 

Constitution of the Grand Lodge (Continued). 

Form of notice of restoration 75 

suspension 75 

petition for a charter 72 

dispensation to form a new Lodge .... 69 

the degrees 73 

recommendation of a petition to form a new Lodge. . 71 

Forms 68 

General regulations of the Grand Lodge ■. 78 

Grand Lodge of California, communications of 29 

committees and their duties 32 

constitution of 27 

dues 33 

^ fees for charters, dispensations, etc. 33 

general regulations of 78 

judicial powers of 29 

jurisdiction of 67 

may levy contributions 33 

members of and their qualifications 28 

powers and authority of 28 

representatives in 31 

revenues of 32 

seal affixed to all instruments is- 
sued by Grand Secretary 27 

title and seal 27 

voting and representation in 31 

Grand Lodge of Hamburg, communication with, forbidden. . 79 

Grand Master, definition of 66 

charges may be preferred against 57 

powers and duties of 34 

Grand Officers, appointed, duties of 40 

payment of 81 

compensation of 42 

powers and duties of 34 

Grand Secretary, powers and duties of 37 

fees of 39 

may appoint an assistant 40 

Treasurer, powers and duties of 36 

Wardens, powers and duties of ' 36 

Hamburg, Grand Lodge of, relative to 79 

Illegal Lodges 49 

(General Regulation, No. 2) 78 

Individual Masons, of 56 

duties, prohibitions, penalties 56 

Installing Officers of subordinate Lodges 51 

Judicial powers of Grand Lodge 29 



INDEX. 229 

PAGE. 

Constitution op the Grand Lodge (Continued). 

Jurisdiction, definition of 67 

concuiTont 78 

Jurisdictions, candidates for merabership who have received 

degrees in other, while residents of this State . 78 

Lectures 49 

Lodge, jurisdiction of a 67 

lectures in a 49 

liable to arrest of charter for neglecting or refusing to 

use the revised work 81 

may have its charter suspended or forfeited for neglect 

of duty 46 

must be duly chartered and constituted to entitle it to 

representation in Grand Lodge 49 

must have made its returns to entitle it to represen- 
tation 49 

of whom it shall consist 44 

organization of a 42 

petition to open a new 43 

powers and duties of a 44 

removal of a 46 

each, represented entitled to three votes in Grand 

Lodge 31 

responsible for its Secretary 46 

shall accompany its returns with payment of its dues . 45 
be represented in Grand Lodge at every commu- 
nication 45 

have official communications read in open Lodge . 46 

provide a seal 45 

for payment of its officers or representa- 
tive in attending communications of 

Grand Lodge 46 

the several books prescribed 46 

transmit a copy of its By-laws to Grand Secretary 45 
to Grand Secretary returns of transac- 
tions 45 

Lodges, charges against 60 

dissolution of 50 

illegal 78 

payment of representatives of 81 

subordinate, officers of 51 

under dispensation, may send delegates to Grand 

Lodge 49 

without the State may be represented by a member of 

any Lodge under this jurisdiction 66 

Masonic Hall Fund 79 



230 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

PAGE. 

Constitution of the Grand Lodge (Continued), 

Masonic honors, no brother who may fall in a duel shall be 

buried with 78 

Masons shall testify on their honor as such 59 

Master, definition of 66 

powers and duties of 52 

is the primary executive authority of a Lodge 44 

Masters of Lodges, relative to trials of 59 

Member may withdraw from a Lodge at any time 56 

Membership, form of application for 74 

in a Lodge, how acquired 56 

terminated 56 

of 56 

Members of dissolved Lodges, relative to 80 

no Lodge allowed to transact business other than con- 
ferring degrees, with less than seven, present 80 

of the Grand Lodge, and their qualifications 28 

not to be represented by proxy 28 

Non-aflfiliated Masons, relative to 81 

Non-payment of dues, members may be suspended for 49 

relative to members stricken from the 

roll for 80 

restoration of members suspended for. . 49 

Notification, definition of 68 

Objections to advancement of candidates 47 

Office in a Lodge, every voter eligible to any 52 

Officers appointed 52 

duties of 55 

Lodge to provide for payment of, in attending Grand 

Lodge 46 

of subordinate Lodges ... 51 

elections and appointments of. 51 

of the Grand Lodge 28 

elective, shall be elected by ballot 30 
must be members of some Lodge 

within its jurisdiction 28 

Of the officers of subordinate Lodges 51 

Organization of a Lodge 42 

Past Grand Officer, definition of 66 

Master, definition of 66 

relative to degree of 79 

Payment of officers and representatives to Grand Lodge 46 

Penalties 56 

which may be inflicted upon individual Masons 63 

Lodges 61 

Masters of Lodges 60 



INDEX. 231 

PAGK. 

Constitution of the Grand Lodge (Continued). 

Petition for a charter, form of 72 

dispensation to form a new Lodge, form of 69 

the degrees 73 

to form a new Lodge 42 

Powers and authority of the Grand Lodge 28 

duties of a Lodge 44 

Grand Oflficers 34 

Masters 52 

judicial, of a Lodge , 44 

legislative, of a Lodge 44 

Proceedings, relative to price to be charged for copies of 80 

Prohibitions relative to individual Masons 56 

Proxy, members of Grand Lodge not to be represented by . . . 28 

Qualifications of candidates 82 

Questions in Grand Lodge, how decided 31 

Quorum 30 

Eecommendation of a petition to form a new Lodge, form of. 71 

Regulation, definition of 67 

Regulations, general, of the Grand Lodge of California 78 

repealed 65 

Rejected applicants 47 

dispensation to receive application of 47 

Rejection, form of notice of 75 

Removal of Lodges 46 

Representation, Lodge must be duly instituted to entitle it to . 49 
have made its returns to entitle it 

to 49 

Representative, definition of 66 

form of credential for a 73 

fund, levy of. 13 

Lodge to provide for payment of 46 

Representatives of Lodges, payment of 81 

voting in Grand Lodge 31 

Represented, a Lodge without the State may be, by a member 

of any Lodge under this jurisdiction 66 

Residence 46 

candidate must apply to the Lodge nearest his place 

of 78 

Restorations 64 

by Grand Lodge shall not restore to membership 

in Lodge 64 

form of notice of. 75 

of expelled Masons 82 

members suspended for non-payment of dues. . 49 

suspended Masons, relative to 82 



232 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

PAGE. 

CoNSTiTuuioN OF THE Grand Lodge (Continued). 

Restoration, suspension, or expulsion, shall not be published 

except by Grand Lodge or Grand Master 64 

Restore, Grand Lodge may 64 

Revenue of Grand Lodge, excess of, how disposed of 78 

Revenues of the Grand Lodge 32 

Revised work made obligatory upon all the Lodges 81 

Revision and restorations 64 

Seal, Lodge shall provide a, within two months 45 

of the Grand Lodge : 27 

Secretary, duties of. 54 

Special meetings, what business may be done at 44 

Stated meetings, definition of 68 

each Lodge shall have not more than one, in 

each month 44 

Subordinate Lodges, of 42 

officers of 51 

Summons, definition of. 68 

Suspended for non-payment of dues, member may be 57 

Suspensions, definition of. 67 

shall not be published except by the Grand Lodge 

or Grand Master 64 

form of notice of 75 

Suspension of a Lodge, definition of 67 

Mason, definition of 67 

Master, definition of 67 

shall be for an indefinite period 64 

Title of Grand Lodge of California 27 

Treasurer, Grand, duties of 36 

of subordinate Lodge, duties of 53 

Trials, appeals, and penalties 57 

of Grand Master 57 

individual Masons 61 

Lodges and members of different Lodges 60 

Trustees of Masonic Hall Fund 79 

Vacancy, definition of. 67 

Violations, of 56 

Visitors, no Lodge shall admit, without due inquiry or exami- 
nation 49 

Vote, Grand Master to have casting, when 31 

no member of a Lodge required to divulge his 57 

Past Masters of each Lodge collectively entitled to one 31 

Voter eligible to any office in a Lodge. 52 

Votes, each Lodge represented entitled to three 31 

Voting in Grand Lodge 31 

Wardens of Subordinate Lodges 53 



INDEX. 233 

PAGE. 

Constitution of the Grand Lodge (Continued). 

"Wardens, duties of Grand 36 

Witnesses, relative to testimony of 59 

Work and lectures, revised 81 

Councils, list of subordinate 199 

General Regulations ©"f the Grand Qhapter 180 

Lodge 78 

Gr.aa'd Chapter, Constitution of. 155 

general regulations of 180 

Grand officers of, elected since 1854 186 

rules of order of 182 

Grand Commandery, list of Grand officers of 220 

rules of order of 217 

statutes of 201 

Grand Council Royal and Select Masters, Constitution of 189 

Grand Lodge of California, By-laws of 89 

Constitution of 27 

general regulations of 78 

list of officers elected since 1850 150 

Grand Officers of Grand Chapter, elected since 1854 186 

COxMmandery, elected since organization. . 220 

Lodge, elected since 1850 150 

for 1866-7 4 

Knights Templar, statutes of Grand Commandery of. 201 

List of Past Grand Officers of Grand Chapter 186 

Commandery 220 

Lodge . 150 

Subordinate Chapters 184 

commanderees 219 

Councils 199 

Lodges 143 

Lodges, list of 143 

MASONIC CODE (resolutions and decisions of Grand Lodge) 93 

Admission and advancement of candidates 106 

Affiliation 114 

Appeal, no, from the ruling of a Grand Master 95 

Appeals 130 

Assessments 122 

Balloting 99 

Ballot, withdrawing petition before 101 

Business of a Lodge 98 

By-laws 140 

uniform code of, relative to 140 

Candidates, admission and advancement of 106 

from other jurisdictions 105 

30 



234 • THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

PAGE. . 

Masonic Code (Continued). 

Candidates, qualifications of 106 

rejected 112 

Charitable relief 119 

Code of By-laws, Uniform 140 

Commissioners and their reports 130 

Compensation to Grand Officers and members of the Grand 

Lodge 138 

Conduct, unmasonic 134 

Conferring degrees and proficiency Ill 

Debts, ordinary 135 

Degrees, conferring Ill 

Delegates of Lodges 139 

Demission 116 

Dispensation, Lodges under 103 

Dissolved Lodges, property of 104 

Dropping names from the roll 125 

Dues 122 

suspension for non-payment of 123 

Expulsions 131 

Fees, dues, and assessments . . . .: , 122 

Funerals and expenses , 120 

Grand Master, powers of 95 

Officers, compensation to 138 

Honorary membership 113 

Jurisdiction of a Lodge 105 

Jurisdictions, candidates from other 105 

Lectures, work and 97 

Lodge, jurisdiction of a 104 

meetings on Sunday 103 

opening and closing of 97 

property of dissolved 104 

Lodges, removals of 102 

representatives and delegates of 139 

under dispensation 103 

Masonic clothing and processions 141 

funerals and expenses 120 

Masons, non-affiliated 114 

Masters and Wardens, relative to withdrawal of 96 

of Lodges, powers and duties of 95 

Membership 113 

honorary 113 

Members of the Grand Lodge, compensation to 138 

Non-affiliated Masons 114 

Non-payment of dues 125 

Notifications 1 25 



INDEX. 2B5 

PAGE. 

Masonic Code {Continued). 

Opening and closing of Lodges 97 

Ordinary debts 135 

Petition, withdrawing, before ballot 101 

Powers and duties of Masters 95 

of a Grand Master 95 

Processions 141 

Proficiency Ill 

Property of dissolved Lodges 104 

Qualifications of candidates 106 

Rejected candidates 112 

Relief 119 

Removals of Lodges ; 102 

Reports of Commissioners 130 

Representative fund 137 

Representatives of Lodges 139 

Residence 116 

Resolutions rescinded 142 

Right of visit 117 

Roll, dropping names from 125 

Standing resolutions rescinded 142 

Summonses 125 

Sundays, Lodge meeting on 103 

Suspension for non-payment of dues 123 

Suspensions, expulsions, and restorations 131 

Testimony 128 

Trials 128 

Unmasonic conduct 134 

Visit, right of 117 

Votes in a Lodge 99 

Wardens, Masters and 96 

Witnesses, testimony, and trials 128 

Work and lectures 97 

OLD CHARGES OF A FREEMASON 5 

Regulations 13 

Regulations, General, of the Grand Chapter 180 

Lodge 78 

Old 13 

Royal and Select Masters, Constitution of Grand Council of . . 189 

Royal Arch Masons, Constitution of Grand Chapter of 155 

Rules of Order of the Grand Chapter 182 

commandery 217 



236 THE CALIFORNIA DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW. 

PAGE. 

STATUTES OF GRAND COMMANDERY OP KNIGHTS TEM- 
PLAR 201 

Miscellaneous — 

Amendments 216 

Penalties 215 

Trials and appeals 215 

Vows of oflBce 215 

Belative to Grand Commandery — 

Committees 206 

Conclaves 205 

Elections 205 

Officers and members 203 

Powers and authority 204 

Proxies 205 

Qualifications for office or membership 204 

Revenue 206 

Title and seal 203 

Voting 206 

Relative to Grand Officers — 

Deputy Grand Commander 208 

Grand Captain General 208 

Commander 207 

Generalissimo 208 

Recorder 209 

Treasurer , 209 

Past Grand Officers 210 

Belative to Subordinate Commanderies — 

Assemblies 211 

Commander 213 

Elections 212 

Eees and dues 213 

Formation 211 

Generalissimo and Captain General 213 

Of whom composed 211 

Qualifications for the Order 212 

Returns 214 

Treasurer and Recorder ... 214 

Voting 212 

Sdbokdinate Chapters, list of 184 

Commanderies, list of 219 

Councils, list of 199 

Lodges, list of 143 

Uniform Code of By-laws 84 



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